MODELING DEVELOPMENTAL COMPLEXITY IN ADOLESCENCE - HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR IN CONTEXT

A major challenge for scholars of adolescent development consists of e xpanding current theoretical models to capitalize on advances in the b iomedical sciences. Integration of biological processes into models of adolescent development will enable scientists to construct more holis tic and integrative perspectives than currently are available. The urg ency for further integration of biological, psychological, and context ual domains in theoretical models stems from the reality that serious ongoing problems remain to be solved, old problems are reemerging, and still other lethal problems are emerging for the first time. The link s between endocrine physiological processes and adolescent psychologic al processes are the focus of this article. The article begins with a brief history of biopsychosocial research in adolescent development. F our models for conceptualizing hormone-behavior research as illustrati ve of biopsychosocial models are discussed. The article concludes with challenges and directions for future research.