ABSTRACT
It is a truism in developmental psychology that not all people who encoun-
ter stressful or straining experiences in life suffer the same debilitating con-
sequences. The dynamics through which psychological resources, coping
mechanisms, and social supports can moderate the effects of negative life
events and chronic strain have been subject to a great deal of scrutiny. Al-
though people in their everyday lives move across multiple domains, en-
countering significant others and potentially formative experiences in each
one, rarely does the literature in this area take an ecological perspective
(Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Adolescence is a time when the social world ex-
pands-a time of increasing engagement beyond the family sphere. Adoles-
cent activities extend to the school, the peer group, and, for most young
people in the United States, the workplace. These contexts may present ex-
periences that differ greatly in their tone and content. Some of these do-
mains present problems, taxing the youth’s resources. Others promote
good feelings, a positive sense of self, and satisfaction. This book examines
how the constellation of stressors and rewards, experienced across various
life domains, influence adolescent adjustment.
