Theory Of Individual Psychology Research Articles

Psychoanalysis and politics

ABSTRACT Psychoanalysis and Politics argue that psychoanalysis is at its root a social or group theory, to which a theory of individual psychology is integral. This formulation follows from Freud's Group Psychology, which defines individual psychology as a derivative of group psychology, “still incomplete.” The article historicizes the analytic conception of the individual in terms of the authors' conception of personalize, spelled out in Secrets of the Soul. Three versions of psychoanalytic social theory are discussed: Freudo-Marxism, the New Left and feminism and the “relational turn.”

Analisis Sifat Inferioritas Dan Superioritas Pada Tokoh Yoga dalam novel 7 Prajurit Bapak Karya Wulan Nuramalia

Abstract. The aim of this research is to describe the forms of inferior and superior attitudes of the main character in the novel 7 Warrior Bapak by Wulan Nuramalia in terms of Alfred Adler's individual psychology regarding how humans move through their natural nature, namely inferior, towards superiority or success. The problem raised is what the inferior and superior attitudes of the main character of the novel are like. This research includes descriptive qualitative research. The data source for this research is the novel 7 Soldiers Mr by Wulan Nuramalia by reading and writing. The method used uses library research. This analysis uses Alfred Adler's individual psychology theory, especially those related to inferior and superior. The results obtained show that there are several forms of inferiority attitudes towards the Yoga character in the novel 7 Soldiers, as well as the success or superiority of the Yoga character in realizing his ideals.

THE VULNERABILITY BEHIND THE TERROR: AN ADLERIAN SKETCH OF AGATHA TRUNCHBULL FROM ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA

The paper provides a brief introduction to Roald Dahl, one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time. Aside from witty punch lines, fascinating worlds and iconic literary characters, Dahl’s works serve as a reservoir of diverse villains. The paper focuses on Matilda’s tyrannical villain Agatha Trunchbull, well-known for her outrageous savagery. For anybody familiar with Dahl’s work, the villain deserves strong condemnation for her child-endangering actions. The paper takes a psychological approach to explain the hostile nature of Miss Trunchbull utilizing the theory of Individual Psychology as postulated by Alfred Adler. It constitutes an attempt to unravel the psychological vulnerabilities that plague the menacing villain.

Zwischen individualpsychologischer Identität und psychoanalytischem Selbstverständnis – Dieter Tenbrinks Beitrag zur Individualpsychologie

Dieter Tenbrink’s contribution to the Individual Psychology theory and practice in the last 40 years covered a wide of topics. His stimulating papers and pioneering ideas were often the starting point for controversial discussions and play a decisive role in developing and renewing Adlerian Psychology.

The Personality Of Tifani Fanelli In Jessica Knoll’s Novel Luckiest Girl Alive

This study aimed to discover the personality and factors that influence TifAni FaNelli’s personality development in Jessica Knoll’s novel Luckiest Girl Alive. The data sources used in this study was novel Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll. In analysing the data, the writer used descriptive qualitative method through psychology approach. Data were obtained by using the techniques of reading, noting, and analysing. Meanwhile in classifying the data, the writer used Adler’s Individual Psychology theory. The research reveal that the novel contained personalities of easily influenced, a liar, patient, innocent, obsession, a dreamer, forgiving, lack of confidence, loyal, jealousy, generous, trendy, emotional, and brave. While data that included factors, inferiority are, social interest, fictional final goal. So, the dominants personality were easily influenced, obsession, emotional, and inferiority factor.

Individual Psychology in 2022

Individual Psychology in 2022 Jon Sperry and Len Sperry This open issue offers conceptual and empirical explorations of Individual Psychology theory and practice by practitioners and researchers around the globe. The first article, "Anxiety Disorders: A Biopsychosocial Model and an Adlerian Approach for Conceptualization and Treatment," by Rebecca Jokinen and Timothy Hartshorne, highlights the holistic and teleological spirit of Individual Psychology. The authors offer a user-friendly model for understanding anxiety and integrative treatment considerations. The second article, "Promoting Adlerian Psychology in the American Classroom: The First Attempt and Its Contemporary Implications," by Edward Hoffman and Marina Bluvshtein, highlights the influence of Individual Psychology in the educational system in the United States. The article presents correspondence between the American child psychiatrist David Levy and Alfred Adler, and discusses implications. The worldwide impact of COVID-19 has pushed mental health providers to quickly provide mental health services through various telemental health platforms. Courtney Evans's article, "Adlerian Play Therapy and Telemental Health Counseling During COVID-19: Practical Considerations and Examples," paves the way for practitioners of Adlerian Individual Psychology who use telemental health. This article offers strategies to provide Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) through telemental health platforms. Erik Mansager and Rocky Garrison discuss an Adlerian formulation of therapeutic growth and change in their article "Harnessing Adler's Healing Process." They articulate the healing process to include client–clinician connection (mutual feeling), cooperation (mutual action), and common sense (mutual understanding). Their article concludes with a case illustration to demonstrate the healing process and conceptualization discussed in the article. Individual Psychology constructs were empirically investigated in three different countries in this open issue. Ümre Kaynak and Şerife Işık present [End Page 153] their research in an article titled "Development of the Social Interest Scale for Turkish Adolescents." Second, Ben Cotterill's article "The Relationship Between Psychological Birth-Order Position and Personality Type," suggests that middle children have a significantly decreased chance of being introverted and a significantly increased chance of being "feelers" than do other categories of birth order. Third, Ursula Oberst and Irene Checa extend the knowledge and research base on personality priorities in their article "A Contribution to the Theory and Measurement of Adlerian Personality Priorities." The final article in this issue, "Community and Belonging in the Workplace: Examining Nonmonetary Motivators in Talent Management," by Celine Cluff, discusses aspects of the work life task. We hope these spectacular contributions can assist you in your personal and professional endeavors. We would like to thank our colleagues who assisted with copyediting this issue: Leonette Lee Copeland, Hannah Hlavacek, Barbra Quirk, and Melody Schmaltz. [End Page 154] Copyright © 2022 University of Texas Press

Ranking as a Predictor of Academic Inferiority Feelings Among Form Three Students in Kisii County, Kenya

A lot of research has been done on the relationship between ranking and academic performance among students. However, the literature done is scanty on the relationship between ranking and academic inferiority feelings. The main aim of this study was therefore to investigate relationship between ranking and academic inferiority feelings among students who do not perform well. Alfred Adler’s theory of individual psychology forms the theoretical framework of the study. The study adopted a mixed methods sequential explanatory research design. It was carried out in Kisii County, Kenya. The target population was all the Form Three students in public schools in Kenya. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select the top, average and low-ranking schools in the county. It was further used to stratify schools into boys’ boarding, girls’ boarding, mixed boarding, mixed day and boarding and mixed day schools. Simple random sampling was used in the selection of the 400 respondents. The sample consisted of 400 students selected from 20 schools. The research instruments were questionnaires and an interview schedule for the students administered by the researcher. Personal and academic self-concept inventory (PASCI) was used to collect data on academic inferiority feelings. A researcher developed questionnaire was used to collect data from students on ranking. A pilot study was used to validate and ensure reliability of the research instruments. Both descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used to analyze data with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results were presented using frequency tables. The results showed that there was a relationship between ranking and academic inferiority feelings with most of the respondents having moderate feelings of academic inferiority i.e.,72.9%. Sex differences were evident in the study where boys experienced a higher level of academic inferiority feelings with a mean of 67.11as compared to girls who had a mean 65.08. A major recommendation of the study was that the ministry of education should try to do away with ranking totally more so within school ranking which could make the students feel academically inferior.

Ability Streaming as a Predictor of Academic Inferiority Feelings Among Form Three Students in Kisii County, Kenya

There is substantial literature on the relationship between ability streaming and academic performance among students. This literature however is scanty on the relationship between ability streaming and academic inferiority feelings. The main aim of this study was therefore to investigate the relationship between ability streaming and academic inferiority feelings among students who do not perform well. Alfred Adler’s theory of individual psychology forms the theoretical framework of the study. The study adopted a mixed methods sequential explanatory research design. It was carried out in Kisii County, Kenya. The target population was all the Form Three students in public schools in Kenya (593711 students). Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select the top, average and low-ranking schools in the county. It was further used to stratify schools into boys’ boarding, girls’ boarding, mixed day and boarding and mixed day schools. Simple random sampling was used in the selection of the 400 respondents from 20 schools to form the sample. The research instruments were questionnaires and an interview schedule for the students administered by the researcher. Personal and academic self-concept inventory (PASCI) was used to collect data on academic inferiority feelings and Stephanie Soto Gordon’s questionnaire was used to collect data on ability streaming from students. A pilot study was used to validate and ensure reliability of the research instruments. Both descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used to analyze data with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results were presented using frequency tables. The results showed that there was a relationship between ability streaming and academic inferiority feelings with most of the respondents having moderate feelings of academic inferiority i.e. 83%. Sex differences were found in ability streaming in regard to academic inferiority feelings. Boys experienced a slightly higher level of academic inferiority feelings with a mean of 67.11as compared to girls who had a mean 65.08. A major recommendation of the study among others was that the ministry of education should try to do away with ability streaming in schools which makes the students feel academically inferior.

Identifying the Components of Bullying Prevention for Children in the Theory of Individual Psychology: A Qualitative Study

Identifying the Components of Bullying Prevention for Children in the Theory of Individual Psychology: A Qualitative Study

Quran-based critique of identity forming characteristics in Adler's Theory of individual psychology

Alfred Adler is a well-known psychologist in the field of psychology and psychoanalysis. Adler's theory of psychoanalysis is also known as the Psychology of Social Interest and Individual Psychology because of its emphasis on social components and individual differences in personality construction. Adler claims that feelings of inferiority can be a source of human effort to achieve one's goals, while the Holy Quran considers self-confidence to be one of the messages of Islam. Contrary to Adler's theory, supremacy is condemned in the Holy Quran, and paradise is considered to belong to people who prefer ugly behaviors. Contrary to Adler's theory that the end of human life is imaginary and unreal, the Holy Quran introduces the ultimate goal of man as a real and achievable thing. According to Adler, lifestyle is in the service of achieving supremacy in society, while from the perspective of the Holy Quran, the chosen lifestyle should lead to divine closeness. Adler sees creativity as the goal of man's superiority, while according to the Holy Quran, this creativity must serve man to achieve lofty divine goals such as happiness, perfection, and closeness to God. Although from a social point of view it is the only scale that can be used to judge the value of a person, from the Quran's point of view there are other scales, and material issues can never be the key to unity and secure social connection because material matters are always the source of conflict. The demands of the people are unlimited, and material matters are limited, all differences arise from it, however, the rope of God and the relationship with God, which is a spiritual thing, can establish the best emotional relationship between human beings of any race, language, and social group.

An Adlerian Analysis of the Problematic Mother-Daughter Relationship in Eileen Chang's The Golden Cangue and Elfriede Jelinek's Die Klavierspielerin

The Chinese writer Eileen Chang's novella Jinsuo Ji (The Golden Cangue, 1943) and Elfriede Jelinek's novel Die Klavierspielerin (1983) depict a problematic mother-daughter relationship. Despite their disparate dynastic and national backgrounds, these two works bear many similarities in terms of extreme maternal manipulation and despair the daughters undergo. Unlike the idealized stereotype of a mother who selflessly nurtures and protects her daughter, the mothers in these two works are not caregivers; rather, they destroy their daughters' lives. Drawing upon Alfred Adler's theory of individual psychology, this paper investigates the mothers' mentality in their respective contexts and probes unconventional mother-daughter relationships.

Individual Psychology Research, Pedagogy, and Clinical Practice

Individual Psychology Research, Pedagogy, and Clinical Practice Jon Sperry and Len Sperry It is with great sadness that we start this issue with a short dedication to Harold Mosak written by Crossman and Bluvshtein. Mosak died on June 1, 2018, at the age of 96 years. This dedication reviews his many contributions to the mental health profession and the theory of Individual Psychology. The next article is a conversation with Parsons and the coeditors of the Journal of Individual Psychology (JIP), Sperry and Sperry. The conversation includes a discussion of the future of the journal through a discussion of challenges and strengths of the journal, and also their efforts to encourage Adlerian practitioners and researchers to advocate and seek evidence-based status for Individual Psychology. In "Sibling Niches and the Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder," Rassmussen, Self, Few, and Worthen examined ADHD from an Adlerian perspective through their empirical study. A highlight of their study includes the one-in-four probability of ADHD diagnosis for younger brothers who have a sister in a two-sibling family. They discussed the controversy of this disorder and also urge that practitioners assess goal-oriented behavior and the family constellation when treating children diagnosed with this disorder. Another empirical article, "Adlerian Personality Priority Assessment: A Psychometric Evaluation," by Dillman Taylor and Mullen examined the psycho metric properties of this measure with 1,019 participants. The Adlerian Personality Priority Assessment assists practitioners and researchers with assessing their client's view of self, view of others, and view of the world. Consequently, the use of this measure assists practitioners in actively engaging in case conceptualization. The authors' findings provided evidence for an 18-item, four-factor solution while also contributing to the reliability and validity of this instrument. [End Page 93] "Two Points on a Line: An Innovative Lifestyle Assessment Technique for Guessing in the Right Direction," is a clinical piece by Guttenberg and Sebian-Lander. Developed by Rudolf Dreikurs, the technique known as two points on a line is used to assess a client's lifestyle themes and line of psychological movement. This article reviews background information, application suggestions, and a case study. Davis, Norton, and Chapman discuss how music can be used to teach Adlerian case conceptualization in their article "Using Music for Case Conceptualization: Looking Through an Adlerian Lens." This pedagogical strategy offers Adlerian educators and supervisors creative methods for using music in training students to understand case conceptualization from an Adlerian perspective. The article includes content about Adlerian case conceptualization and demonstrates the process with a case example. As a follow-up to a recent special issue, Sperry and Binensztok include a case conceptualization and therapy transcription to demonstrate the application of Adlerian Pattern-Focused Therapy in their article titled "Adlerian Pattern-Focused Therapy in Clinical Practice." Because of space limitations for that issue, the decision was made to move the session transcription that appeared in the original treatment manual to this subsequent issue of Journal of Individual Psychology. [End Page 94] Copyright © 2019 University of Texas Press

Understanding Counselor Values Conflict Through the Lens of Adlerian Social Interest

The authors lend historical context to common values conflicts in modern counseling and describe the legal and ethical context for such conflicts. We seek to explore the intrapsychic and interprofessional dilemmas of values conflict in clinical practice and offer a framework for addressing such issues through the lens of Adler's theory of Individual Psychology. Understanding the role of social interest, striving for superiority, spiritual development, and life tasks, in addition to ethical bracketing and experiential learning, provides concrete steps for beginning and practicing clinicians struggling with values conflicts when providing help to others.

The Effects of Personal Susceptibility and Social Support on Internet Addiction: an Application of Adler’s Theory of Individual Psychology

The aim of the present study was to examine the addictive effects of personal susceptibility and social support from family, friends, and significant other on Internet addiction. In this study, 207 medical students completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Academic Expectations Stress Inventory, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet addiction. Participants were recruited via simple random sampling technique. Personal susceptibility variables such as loneliness, academic stress due to other expectations, and academic stress due to self-expectations were significantly positively correlated to, and all domains of social support were significantly negatively correlated to, Internet addiction. After adjusting for demographic variables, social support emerged as a significant predictor of Internet addiction in the hierarchical regression analysis. In support of Adler’s individual psychology theory, the present findings suggest that social support from family is a valuable adjunct to prevention and intervention programs aimed at alleviating Internet addiction in medical students.

Evidence-Based Adlerian Therapy: Special Issue

Evidence-Based Adlerian Therapy:Special Issue Jon Sperry In our inaugural issue as new editors (Sperry & Sperry, 2017), one of our pledges was to educate and advocate for Adlerian therapy to achieve evidence-based status. This special issue is the first embodiment of that pledge. This special issue consists of four parts. The first part is an essay by Len Sperry entitled: "Achieving Evidence-Based Status for Adlerian Therapy: Why It Is Needed and How to Accomplish It." It begins by defining the various evidence-based terms. Then it describes why Adlerian therapy must pursue evidence-based status. Finally, it describes how this can be accomplished through developing treatment manuals and planning and implementing clinical trials. The second part consists of the six detailed responses to Len Sperry's article by seven prominent Adlerians. Each author provides insight into the need to achieve evidence-based status for Adlerian therapy and they all articulate the value, challenges, and controversy of beginning the rigorous research effort articulated by Len Sperry. The six responses highlight the need for Adlerian therapy to join the proverbial "evidence-based table" of contemporary clinical practice. The third part is entitled "More Evidence for Evidence-Based Adlerian Therapy: Responding to the Responders," by Len Sperry. He replies and comments on each of the responders' support and critiques of the plan to closely study Adlerian therapy. He also highlights the importance of moving beyond the resistances to Adlerian therapy becoming evidence based and focusing efforts on achieving evidence-based status in the very near future. The fourth part is entitled: "Adlerian Pattern-Focused Therapy: A Treatment Manual" by Len Sperry and Vassilia Binensztok. As the name suggests, the article is a treatment manual developed for implementing clinical trials and training of the therapists who will be involved in those trials, which presumably will lead to the designation of evidence-based treatment. It [End Page 245] emphasizes one form of Adlerian therapy, Adlerian-pattern-focused therapy, and focuses on the treatment of major depression in a structured ten-session therapy. This manual can also be used in graduate training programs and workshops for practicing clinicians. In summary, this issue is intended to call on Adlerian practitioners, researchers, and educators to take a step out of their comfort zones and ensure that Adlerian therapy remains not only a therapy that can build on wellness and reduce human suffering but also a therapy that will prove effective through the scientific validation process. [End Page 246] Reference Sperry, J., & Sperry, L. (2017). Extending Individual Psychology theory and practice through empirical and scholarly research. Journal of Individual Psychology, 73(3), 171–172. Google Scholar Copyright © 2018 University of Texas Press

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL IDENTITY STRATUM IN HENRIK IBSEN’S A DOLL HOUSE: A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO IDENTITY

Based on Bakhtin’s theories of dialogism and stratification, the paper suggests that individual identity is not unified, is not a complete whole, and is not static rather identity with its diverse strata is dynamic, developing and evolving. Gender identity, cultural identity, linguistic identity, imposed identity, ideological identity, spacial identity, national identity, racial identity, topographical identity and even diverse sorts of hybrid identities such as socio-political identity, socio-linguistic, socio-cultural are just some strata of individual’s nonhomogeneous identity. For matters of space and time, the present paper seeks to prove the existence of social identity based on Alfred Adler’s theory of Individual Psychology and the concepts of superiority complex and inferiority complex and their representative causes such as social interest, style of life, and masculine protest. Looking from a different angle, the paper discusses superiority and inferiority complexes as the building blocks of social identity. Moreover, social interest, style of life, and masculine protest are the forming factors of the complexes and henceforth the stratum of social identity. The theories are applied on Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House to study the development and suppression of social identity in Nora which lead her to seek her released un-imposed identity. Released un-imposed identity is interpreted in power structure relations as dissident or rebellious identity.

Adlerian Therapy With Recently Romantically Separated College‐Age Women

Most female students in college will experience the breakup of a romantic relationship. Romantic separation can negatively affect their emotional state, social relationships, and understanding of personal identity. Adler's theory of individual psychology (IP), with its focus on social interest and personal worldview, is a useful theoretical framework for assisting this population. In this article, the authors offer a case study to illustrate how college counselors can use an IP approach to meet the unique needs of recently romantically separated college women.

Extending Individual Psychology Theory and Practice Through Empirical and Scholarly Research

Extending Individual Psychology Theory and Practice Through Empirical and Scholarly Research Jon Sperry and Len Sperry The first article in this issue, “Feeling Equal to Others Predicts Life Satisfaction: Implications for Adlerian Neuro-Counselors,” is by Wilson and Dowda. The authors present their research on predictors of life satisfaction among adults older than age 65. They examined longitudinal data among Americans age 65 and older who completed a survey on Religion, Aging, and Health in both 2001 and 2004 (United States). Through use of logical regression they found that variables such as feelings of having worth at least equal to that of others, looking on the bright side of things, and being optimistic about one’s future predicted life satisfaction at significant levels. Another article, “Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth: The Role of Social Interest and Meaning in Life,” by Grad and Zeligman, examines the predictive nature of social interest and meaning in life on post-traumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of 531 college students who have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. Participants completed the BASIS-A Inventory, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. The authors found that social interest and meaning in life served as significant predictors of PTG, together accounting for 8.3% of the variance. Grad and Zeligman concluded that both meaning in life and social interest are important factors that contribute to post-traumatic growth among college students. The links among social interest, adult attachment, and well-being in romantic relationships is explored in a quantitative study by Rennebohm, Seebeck, and Thoburn, “Attachment, Dyadic Adjustment, and Social Interest: An Indirect Effects Model.” From a sample of 246 university staff, faculty, and students, the authors report that social interest assists in better explaining the relationships between adult attachment and well-being in romantic relationships (dyadic adjustment). Hartshorne presents a clinical piece, “An Adlerian Looks at Challenging Behavior in Severe Disability.” The author discusses his experience after [End Page 171] 28 years of having a son with CHARGE syndrome. The article presents an Adlerian understanding of challenging behaviors when working with clients living with severe disabilities. He also discusses how Adlerian constructs, such as courage to be imperfect, psychology of use, purposefulness of behavior, and goals of misbehavior, as well as life tasks, are useful in conceptualizing and treating individuals with severe disabilities. Johansen’s article “Well-Being Therapy and Adlerian Psychology: Revisiting the Task of Self” reviews well-being therapy and how it is compatible with Individual Psychology theory and techniques. Johansen discusses how the task of self has some theoretical overlap with well-being therapy, as both seek to foster a sense of purpose and self-acceptance. Additionally, Johansen recommends applying well-being therapy in the orientation stage of treatment. The final article in the issue, by Eriksson, “Adlerian Psychology and Music Therapy: The Harmony of Sound and Matter and Community Feeling,” adds to the discussion Dreikurs started some 60 years ago when he founded the National Association of Music Therapy. The article provides a framework for how Individual Psychology informs the practice of music therapy, given that music therapy in a group setting can serve as a metaphor for social interest, communication, and community. Eriksson reviews a number of theoretical and practice implications from various Individual Psychology music therapy practitioners. In summary, all the articles in this issue add to the rich philosophical principles articulated by Alfred Adler. The authors have provided a wealth of clinical knowledge and research to extend the theory of Individual Psychology. Next, we enthusiastically welcome a new managing editor to the JIP editorial team, Ali Cunningham, PhD, an assistant professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Cunningham brings great enthusiasm and various ideas to promote the growth of the journal. Last, this open issue falls between two special issues edited by the late Dr. Jon Carlson. [End Page 172] Copyright © 2017 University of Texas Press

Domestic Violence Against Partners According to Wife-Beaters: Construction of Lifestyle and Life Meaning.

This qualitative study examines the life stories of men who committed violent crimes against their intimate partners, for which they have served prison sentences. For the study, nine men in a rehabilitation hostel in Israel were interviewed. The study aim was to understand the psychological process that had brought the participants to behave violently towards their partners. Narrative analysis of the life stories resulted in two main themes. The first, childhood, was related to how the interviewee during his childhood perceived his personal identity and his parents. The second theme represented the adult interviewee's worldview of violence in general and of intimate partner violence in particular. The findings revealed a subjective feeling of inferiority and lack of worth and volition during childhood, a feeling of chaos, and the absence of existential meaning. To avoid these feelings in adulthood, the participants chose a lifestyle that included the use of force and violence, which provided them with a sense of control and meaning. Discussion of the findings is based on the individual psychology theory of Adler and his followers, as well as on the existentialist orientation. According to these approaches, the study participants, who lacked a sense of positive "existential being," developed a negative lifestyle that enabled them to feel a sense of security, value, and meaning.

PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS

Background. Adolescence is considered as a period of difficulties and challenges. It is the period of life of many changes. It may cause stress for adolescents, which in turn may have negative impact on adolescent’s mental health and well- being. Psycho-educational groups for adolescents are one of the common interventions to help them to cope and gain necessary life skills. Various psycho-educational group interventions and life skills programs have been developed and used to assist adolescents to cope with the challenges of life. The authors of the programs claim that they are creating new content to address the needs of youth. However, upon closer examination there are many similarities related to the constructs and interventions proposed many years ago by Alfred Adler and his followers. The aim of this article was to compare theoretical principles of Individual Psychology with the constructs proposed by various psycho-educational programs for adolescents but with a more intense focus on the now popular Lerner’s Positive Youth Development model. Method. A literature review was conducted to explore the similarities of the principles of Individual Psychology and contemporary psycho-educational interventions. Results and conclusions . the conclusions of analysis of the review of literature indicated that a number of the theoretical constructs of the Lerner’s Positive Youth Development model and other psycho-educational programs have been proposed many years ago by Adler and his followers. Examples of psycho-educational programs based on the principles of Individual Psychology were also reviewed. The authors propose that the theory of Individual Psychology may serve as a viable theory base for adolescent intervention programs that lack a theoretical base. It is also proposed that regardless of interventions studies need to be conducted to support the efficacy of the models.