Age is More than a Number with Hayley Cleary, PhD

In this episode, Hayley Cleary, PhD discusses the unique developmental period of adolescence and its impact on conversations and interviews with youth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between juvenile, youth, adolescent, and teenager, and the extended period of adolescence that lasts beyond the teen years. Cleary highlights the vulnerability of youth in conversations and the impact of life experiences on their decision-making. She also explores the role of empathy and rapport in building effective communication with youth.

Truths:

• Adolescence is a unique developmental period that extends beyond the teen years and is marked by ongoing neurological and psychosocial maturation.
• Youth are more vulnerable in conversations and interviews due to their limited future orientation and difficulty thinking deliberatively under stress.
• Empathy and rapport are crucial in building effective communication with youth, but it is important to be authentic and avoid forced relatability.
• Avoid making assumptions about youth based on their chronological age and acknowledge the power differential in conversations with authority figures.
• Stay informed through research and reach out to authors for access to valuable resources.