Abstract
In this chapter, we review evidence on a group recently identified as “at risk,” that is, youth growing up in the context of high-achieving schools (HAS), predominated by well-educated, white-collar professional families. Though these youngsters are thought of as “having it all,” they are statistically more likely than normative samples to show serious disturbances across several domains including drug and alcohol use, as well as internalizing and externalizing problems. We review data on these problems with attention to gender-specific patterns, presenting quantitative developmental research findings along with relevant evidence across other disciplines. In considering possible reasons for elevated maladjustment, we appraise multiple pathways including aspects of family dynamics, peer norms, and pressures at schools. All of these pathways are considered within the context of broad, exosystemic mores: the pervasive emphasis, in contemporary American culture, on maximizing personal status and how this can threaten the well-being of individuals and of communities. This chapter concludes with ideas for future interventions, with discussions on how research-based assessments of schools can best be used to reduce stressors and to maximize positive adaptation, among youth in highly competitive, pressured school environments
We are deeply grateful to students who have participated in this programmatic research over the years and to the parents, teachers, and school administrators who, in their respective communities, paved the way for in-depth assessments and intervention efforts. Our thanks as well to Gordon Flett for his very helpful comments on a previous version. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01DA014385; R13 MH082592) and by the Rodel Foundation.
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Luthar, S.S., Kumar, N.L. (2018). Youth in High-Achieving Schools: Challenges to Mental Health and Directions for Evidence-Based Interventions. In: Leschied, A., Saklofske, D., Flett, G. (eds) Handbook of School-Based Mental Health Promotion. The Springer Series on Human Exceptionality. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89842-1_23
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