Society for Research on Adolescence

Society for Research on Adolescence is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of Adolescent Psychology through research, with members from various fields including Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and Education. The organization was founded in 1984 by a group of researchers, including Daniel Offer, Laurence Steinberg, and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, with the goal of promoting the understanding of Adolescent Development and its various aspects, such as Identity Formation, Social Relationships, and Cognitive Development. The society's mission is to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, including those from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Science Foundation, and American Psychological Association. The organization's work is informed by the research of prominent scholars, including Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Urie Bronfenbrenner.

● History

The Society for Research on Adolescence was established in 1984, with its first conference held at the University of Chicago. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on establishing a strong research foundation, with the support of institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and William T. Grant Foundation. The society's history is closely tied to the development of the field of Adolescent Psychology, with key contributions from researchers such as G. Stanley Hall, Anna Freud, and James Marcia. The organization has also been influenced by the work of scholars from other fields, including Sociology and Anthropology, such as Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Margaret Mead. The society's growth and development have been shaped by the contributions of its members, including Robert Crosnoe, Peggy Giordano, and Stephen Russell, who have advanced our understanding of Adolescent Health, Youth Development, and Family Relationships.

● Organization

The Society for Research on Adolescence is governed by a Board of Directors composed of prominent researchers in the field, including Amanda Guyer, Andrew Fuligni, and Lisa Crockett. The organization is divided into several committees, including the Program Committee, Membership Committee, and Awards Committee, which are responsible for planning conferences, managing membership, and recognizing outstanding contributions to the field, such as the Bronfenbrenner Award and the SRA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research on Adolescence. The society also has a number of special interest groups, including the Adolescent Health and Well-being Special Interest Group and the Cultural Diversity Special Interest Group, which focus on specific topics and issues, such as Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Cultural Competence. The organization collaborates with other professional associations, including the American Psychological Association, Society for Research in Child Development, and National Council on Family Relations, to advance the field of Adolescent Psychology.

● Research Focus

The Society for Research on Adolescence is dedicated to advancing our understanding of Adolescent Development and its various aspects, including Cognitive Development, Social Relationships, and Emotional Development. The organization's research focus is informed by the work of prominent scholars, including Lawrence Kohlberg, Carol Gilligan, and Daniel Siegel, who have made significant contributions to our understanding of Moral Development, Gender Development, and Brain Development. The society's members are also interested in exploring the impact of various factors on adolescent development, such as Poverty, Family Structure, and Cultural Background, and have collaborated with researchers from institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and University of Michigan. The organization's research has been influenced by the work of scholars from other fields, including Economics, Sociology, and Anthropology, such as Gary Becker, Karl Marx, and Clifford Geertz.

● Conferences and Publications

The Society for Research on Adolescence hosts a biennial conference, which brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share knowledge and discuss the latest research on Adolescent Development. The conference features keynote addresses, symposia, and poster sessions, and has included presentations by prominent scholars, such as Urie Bronfenbrenner, Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, and Laurence Steinberg. The organization also publishes a journal, Journal of Research on Adolescence, which is a leading outlet for research on Adolescent Psychology and has featured articles by scholars such as Robert Crosnoe, Peggy Giordano, and Stephen Russell. The society also publishes a newsletter, SRA Newsletter, which provides updates on the organization's activities and features articles on topics such as Adolescent Health, Youth Development, and Family Relationships, and has included contributions from researchers at institutions such as the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

● Membership and Awards

The Society for Research on Adolescence has a diverse membership of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world, including scholars from institutions such as the University of Oxford, Stanford University, and Australian National University. The organization offers several types of membership, including student, regular, and international membership, and has a number of benefits, including access to the Journal of Research on Adolescence and discounts on conference registration. The society also recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of Adolescent Psychology through several awards, including the Bronfenbrenner Award and the SRA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research on Adolescence, which have been awarded to scholars such as Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Laurence Steinberg, and Robert Crosnoe. The organization also offers travel awards and research grants to support the work of early-career researchers, such as those affiliated with the National Science Foundation and American Psychological Association.

● Impact and Influence

The Society for Research on Adolescence has had a significant impact on the field of Adolescent Psychology, with its research and conferences informing policy and practice in areas such as Adolescent Health, Youth Development, and Family Relationships. The organization's work has been recognized by policymakers and practitioners, including those from the National Institute of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Administration for Children and Families. The society's members have also made significant contributions to the development of evidence-based programs and policies, such as the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, and have collaborated with researchers from institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, and University of Texas at Austin. The organization's influence extends beyond the field of Adolescent Psychology, with its research and conferences informing work in related fields, such as Child Development, Family Studies, and Public Health, and has included contributions from scholars such as Albert Bandura, Lev Vygotsky, and Urie Bronfenbrenner.