The Prevention Researcher, Volume 16, Number 2, 2009, Item# 162

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Adolescence is a critical time in life when youth begin to make life-changing decisions. By understanding how youth make decisions and the factors that impact this process, those adults who work with youth can more easily assist them. This issue of The Prevention Researcher explores this often neglected topic, and in the process, might dispel some common myths about adolescent decision making.

The issue begins with an overview of the decision-making process, by defining competent decision making and describing decision-making models. Then, because most of the decisions that adolescents–and adults–make on an everyday basis are intuitive rather than analytical, we explore the difference between these two types of decision making.

After learning how adolescents make decisions, we turn to two important factors that can shape this process: the use of consultants and the goals of the decision maker. Adolescents often turn to consultants (including parents, friends, and romantic partners) for advice and these consultants have an impact on the decision. Finally, a decision maker’s goals play a key role in the type of decision he or she makes. How goals impact decisions, especially those of at-risk youth, is the topic of our final article.

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