The authors describe a view that our short-, medium-, and long- term behavior, interactions, and relationships―whether planned or spontaneous, purposeful or playful―can be understood in terms of goal-directed systems. An understanding of action theory and research methods used in applied settings is provided. It leads to the conclusion that individual processes are joint processes and the joint construction of lives should be monitored to understand ongoing personal and social involvements.
The unique contribution of this book lies in its bringing together and extending of basic features of the theory of goal-directed action systems previously published in a range of scattered research and conceptual articles in the literature. Professionals including clinicians, counselors, social workers, researchers, doctors, nurses, and physical or occupational therapists will find in this book an accessible means to understand, act on, research, and intervene in the behavioral processes they encounter in everyday work.

Action Theory: A Primer for Applied Research in the Social Sciences

Health, Fitness & Dieting

YOUNG, Richard A.

Valach, Ladislav

Lynam, M. Judith

Psychology & Counseling

Praeger

Transition to Adulthood: Action, Projects, and Counseling

The transition to adulthood involves, for most individuals, moving from school to work, establishment of long-term relationships, possibly parenting, and a number of other psychosocial transformations. Now more than ever, there is a concern within popular and research literature about children growing up too soon or too late or failing to realize changes associated with being adult. With this in mind, the book intends to answer a series of timely questions in regard to transition to adulthood and propose a wholly new approach to counseling that enables youth to engage fully in their lives and achieve their best. 
Active Transition to Adulthood: A New Approach for Counseling will discuss the authors’ work on the transition to adulthood (including early and late adolescence) from an entirely innovative perspective – action theory. Over a period of 10-15 years the authors have collected substantial data on adolescents and youth in transition, and will present an approach to counseling based on these data and cases. The action theory perspective in which the authors have grounded their work addresses the intentional, goal-directed behavior of persons and groups that is expressed through particular actions, longer-term projects, and life-encompassing careers. In this book, both transition to adulthood and counseling will be covered in the language of goal-directed action. In this way both transition and counseling reflect and capture the action, projects, and careers in which families, youth, and clients are engaged and use to construct on-going identity and other narratives.

Marshall, Sheila K.

Domene, José F.

Graham, Matthew D.

Zaidman-Zait, Anat

Teen & Young Adult

Springer

This book discusses the authors’ work on the transition to adulthood from an entirely innovative perspective – action theory. It answers a series of timely questions in regard to transition to adulthood and topics are illustrated with extensive case material.

Young, Richard A. A.

Casebook Suicide and Suicide Prevention: Twelve Suicide Attempts Analyzed by Action Theory

Self-Help

Reissfelder, Annette

Death & Grief

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Books by Valach, Ladislav