Teens come in many colors, shapes and sizes, and so do their problems. That's why psychologists say there is no quick-fix solution to teenage misbehavior.
"Kids come from such different backgrounds and do things for so many different reasons that it's difficult to generalize causes," said Freeman Dunn, psychologist for the 4th District Juvenile Court.Most psychologists agree, however, that behavior can usually be traced to environment. Most troubled teens lack a support system at home. They also lack self-esteem, self-assessment skills, goal-setting skills, interpersonal skills and don't perceive the long-term effects of their actions."They want to blame things on everyone else and don't accept responsibility," said Victoria Anderson, director of student services for Alpine School District.
For many, behavioral problems are biological. For others, using drugs and alcohol and committing crimes are ways of expressing anger and other feelings. Dunn said many teens are frustrated with society, and misbehavior is their way of dealing with futile feelings.
"We teach history and talk about current events without helping kids struggle through the moral significance of what's going on," he said. "If you're 17, you worry a lot about the future and don't have the perspective to realize that things will probably come out fine in the end."
For a person to change behavior, Dunn said, his belief system must change. Troubled juveniles must learn that their behavior can have a long-term impact on their lives. They must learn that gratification is not always an immediate reward.
"They have to become fearful of the consequences of their actions. They have to develop empathy and no longer want to harm others or themselves," Dunn said.
Nebo, Provo and Alpine school districts all have counseling programs to assist at-risk students. The Utah County Substance Abuse Department also provides therapy for adolescents with drug and alcohol problems. Juvenile Court refers many criminal offenders to Wasatch Mental Health for counseling. Many medical insurance policies pay for therapy at private hospitals.
Not all teens, however, respond to therapy. Local school districts are expelling between five and 10 students each month, but only after all counseling efforts have failed. About 15 percent of juvenile criminals are repeat offenders, said Val Harris, trial court executive for the 4th District Juvenile Court.
"We're able to help most of the kids that come through the system, but there's that small percentage that we keep seeing over and over," Harris said.
Education officials say that about half of all expelled students eventually regret being kicked out of school, and later attempt to be readmitted. Many end up completing their high school education through night school or adult education courses.