Fostering resilience in adolescent females.

The health of adolescent females can be compromised by new social morbidities resulting from high-risk behaviors. The presence of various risk factors will increase the chances of their becoming involved in these behaviors and decrease their ability to reach the milestones of this developmental age. Protective factors will moderate these risks. Physicians and other health care providers can help foster resilience in the face of adversity by developing a better understanding of these factors and using a multidisciplinary approach to care.