An Existential View of Adolescence

Abstract

Adolescence is viewed from an existential point of view. Incorporating contributions from developmental approaches, the author looks at the development of abstract thought in the adolescent and examines the focus of the adolescent's abstract thinking capabilities on the conditions of existence and the conflicts born of them. The author provides an existential paradigm that presents adolescent behavior as the manifestation of the adolescent's defense mechanisms developed in response to conflict arising from experiencing the fundamental concerns of existence that all individuals must face. Specific existential concerns dealt with include dread of death, confusion of indecision, hopeless-ness of meaninglessness, and despair of isolation.