Adolescents!!!

What is
adolescence?
• Not a disease or disorder!!!

• Time period – roughly the second decade of life

• It is a biological and cultural phenomenon experienced

differently across time and culture.

• Adolescence ≠ Puberty

Adolescence (from Latin adolescere, meaning

'to grow up') is a transitional stage of physical
and psychological development that generally
occurs during the period from puberty to legal
adulthood.
 Critical Tasks of
Adolescence
• Development of adult body

• Attain sexual maturity

• Acquire mature thinking and planning

• Identity development
• Personal
• Sexual
• Vocational
• Moral

Adolescence is viewed as a transitional period between childhood

and adulthood, whose cultural purpose is the preparation of children
for adult roles. It is a period of multiple transitions involving
education, training, employment and unemployment, as well as
transitions from one living circumstance to another.
 What is particular about
Adolescence?
Adolescence can be defined biologically, as the
physical transition marked by the onset of
puberty and the termination of physical growth;
cognitively, as changes in the ability to think
abstractly and multi-dimensionally; or socially, as
a period of preparation for adult roles. Major
pubertal and biological changes include changes
to the sex organs, height, weight, and muscle
mass, as well as major changes in brain structure
and organization. Cognitive advances encompass
both increment in knowledge and in the ability to
think abstractly and to reason more effectively.
 Puberty involves…
• Growth spurt

• Weight gain

• Adult body composition

• Secondary sexual development

(breasts, pubic hair, genital
development)
• Menstrual periods and sexual maturity
 Normal Pubertal
Development
Characteristic Age
Range
Breast development begins
8-13 years
Breast development complete
12-18 years
Pubic hair appears
8-14 years
Growth spurt begins
9-14 years
Menarche
10-16 years
 Biological
Development:
Puberty
Puberty is a period of several years in which
rapid physical growth and psychological
changes occur, culminating in sexual maturity.
The average age of onset of puberty is at 11
for girls and 12 for boys. Every person's
individual timetable for puberty is influenced
primarily by heredity, although environmental
factors, such as diet and exercise, also exert
some influences. These factors can also
contribute to precocious and delayed puberty.
 Hormonal Activity:
Puberty
Puberty occurs through a long process and begins
with a surge in hormone production, which in turn
causes a number of physical changes. It is the
stage of life characterized by the appearance and
development of secondary sex characteristics (for
example, a deeper voice and larger adam's
apple in boys, and development of breasts and
more curved and prominent hips in girls) and a
strong shift in hormonal balance towards an adult
state. This is triggered by the pituitary gland,
which secretes a surge of hormonal agents into the
blood stream, initiating a chain reaction to occur.
 Landmark in Puberty
The major landmark of puberty for males is spermarche,
the first ejaculation, which occurs, on average, at age
13. For females, it is menarche, the onset of
menstruation, which occurs, on average, between ages 12
and 13. The age of menarche is influenced by heredity,
but a girl's diet and lifestyle contribute as well. Regardless
of genes, a girl must have a certain proportion of body fat
to attain menarche. Consequently, girls who have a high-
fat diet and who are not physically active begin
menstruating earlier, on average, than girls whose diet
contains less fat and whose activities involve fat reducing
exercise. Girls who experience malnutrition or are in
societies in which children are expected to perform
physical labor also begin menstruating at later ages.
 Pubescent Boys:
Positives &
Negatives
The timing of puberty can have important psychological and social
consequences. Early maturing boys are usually taller and stronger than
their friends. They have the advantage in capturing the attention of
potential partners and in becoming hand-picked for sports. Pubescent
boys often tend to have a good body image, are more confident,
secure, and more independent. Late maturing boys can be less
confident because of poor body image when comparing themselves to
already developed friends and peers. However, early puberty is not
always positive for boys; early sexual maturation in boys can be
accompanied by increased aggressiveness due to the surge of
hormones that affect them. Because they appear older than their
peers, pubescent boys may face increased social pressure to conform
to adult norms; society may view them as more emotionally advanced,
despite the fact that their cognitive and social development may lag
behind their appearance. Studies have shown that early maturing boys
are more likely to be sexually active and are more likely to participate
in risky behaviors.
 Pubescent Girls:
Positives &
Negatives
For girls, early maturation can sometimes lead to increased
self-consciousness, though a typical aspect in maturing
females. Because of their bodies' developing in advance,
pubescent girls can become more insecure and
dependent. Consequently, girls that reach sexual maturation
early are more likely than their peers to develop eating
disorders (such as anorexia nervosa).

Girls have usually reached full physical development by ages

15–17, while boys usually complete puberty by ages 16–
17. Any increase in height beyond the post-pubertal age is
uncommon. Girls attain reproductive maturity about four
years after the first physical changes of puberty appear. In
contrast, boys accelerate more slowly but continue to grow
for about six years after the first visible pubertal changes.
 Developmental
Stages of
Adolescence
• Early Adolescence: 11-14 years
• Middle Adolescence: 14-17 years
• Late Adolescence: 18-21 years
 Growth Spurt
The adolescent growth spurt is a rapid increase in the
individual's height and weight during puberty resulting from
the simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid
hormones, and androgens. Males experience their growth
spurt about two years later, on average, than females.
During their peak height velocity (the time of most rapid
growth), adolescents grow at a growth rate nearly identical
to that of a toddler—about 4 inches (10.3 cm) a year for
males and 3.5 inches (9 cm) for females. In addition to
changes in height, adolescents also experience a significant
increase in weight. The weight gained during adolescence
constitutes nearly half of one's adult body weight.
 Growth Pattern
The significant physical changes during puberty happen
in bodily distribution of fat and muscle. This process is
different for females and males. Before puberty, there
are nearly no sex differences in fat and muscle
distribution; during puberty, boys grow muscle much
faster than girls, although both sexes experience rapid
muscle development. In contrast, though both sexes
experience an increase in body fat, the increase is much
more significant for girls. Frequently, the increase in fat
for girls happens in their years just before puberty. The
ratio between muscle and fat among post-pubertal boys
is around three to one, while for girls it is about five to
four. This may help explain sex differences in athletic
performance.
 Growth Pattern
The accelerated growth in different body parts
happens at different times, but for all adolescents it
has a fairly regular sequence. The first places to
grow are the extremities—the head, hands and feet
—followed by the arms and legs, then the torso and
shoulders. This non-uniform growth is one reason
why an adolescent body may seem out of
proportion.

During puberty, bones become harder and more

brittle. At the conclusion of puberty, the ends of the
long bones close during the process
called epiphysis
 Pubertal
Development
Pubertal development also affects circulatory and
respiratory systems as an adolescents' heart and
lungs increase in both size and capacity. These
changes lead to increased strength and tolerance
for exercise. Sex differences are apparent as
males tend to develop "larger hearts and lungs,
higher systolic blood pressure, a lower resting
heart rate, a greater capacity for carrying oxygen
to the blood, a greater power for neutralizing the
chemical products of muscular exercise, higher
blood hemoglobin and more red blood cells".
 Changes in the
brain
The human brain is not fully developed by the
time a person reaches puberty. Between the ages
of 10 and 25, the brain undergoes changes that
have important implications for behavior. The
brain reaches 90% of its adult size by the time a
person is six years of age. Thus, the brain does
not grow in size much during adolescence.
However, the creases in the brain continue to
become more complex until the late teens. The
biggest changes in the folds of the brain during
this time occur in the parts of the cortex that
process cognitive and emotional information.
 Early Adolescence
Cognitive Development
• Concrete thinking – or – in the “here and now”

• Difficulty reflecting on others’ points of view

• Extreme concern with own needs, and

assumption that these needs are equally
important to others!!!
• Tendency to magnify one’s personal situation
 Early Adolescence
Cognitive Development

• “Imaginary Audience” – always on stage

• Frequent daydreaming
• Greater need for privacy – writing in diaries, etc.
• “Personal Fable” – no one knows what it’s like to
be me…
• Sense of invulnerability
• Inability to perceive long-range implications of
current decisions and actions
• LACK OF IMPULSE CONTROL
 Early Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Rapid physical changes lead to preoccupation
with physical appearance and changes in body.
• Seek constant reassurance of their own
normalcy.
• AM I NORMAL?

• Increased interest in sexual anatomy and

physiology:
• Periods, nocturnal emissions, masturbation, breast
and penis size
• Attractiveness
 Early Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Begin separation from parents.

• Exploration and definition of independence-

dependence boundaries.
• Less interest in parent/family activities
• Reluctance to tacitly accept parental advice
• Realizes the parent isn’t perfect!!!
 Early Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Importance of peer group and conformity
with peers increases.
• Search for new people to love in addition to
parents.
• Intense, idealized same-sex relationships
common (BFF)
• Limited capacity for intimacy given cognitive
constraints.
 Early Adolescence
Psychosocial Development

• Wide mood and behavior swings.

• Erratic movement into and out of childhood

world.
• Childish coping skills ineffective in adult
situations.
 Middle Adolescence
Cognitive Development
• Begin the gradual realization that others have
needs of their own.

• Idealism and commitment to social causes

common.

• Further ability to use abstract thinking, but

inconsistently applied.
• May revert to more concrete levels at times of
stress.
• May lead to inconsistent or “irrational” behavior.

• Persistence of sense of immortality.

 Middle Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Increase in intensity of emotions

• Peak of child-parent control battles.

• Able to conceive of “ideal” parents,
contrast with own parents.

• Intermittent seeking and rejection of

parental support.
 Middle Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Peer group becomes primary means of
social support, buffering the separation
process.
• Peers are “everybody” and define
“everything”.
• Peer group allows forum for testing new
identities.
• Role experimentation, limit-testing, risk-
taking fostered by persistent sense of
invulnerability.
 Middle Adolescence
Psychosocial Development

• Re-establishment of body image.

• Strong emphasis on being attractive.

• (Clothes, makeup)

• Increasing sexual interest, curiosity,

experimentation, partnerships.
 Late Adolescence
Cognitive Development
• Improved sense of time and the future.

• Ability to assess the long-term

consequences or benefits of actions.
• More able to think ideas through and
express herself in words.
• Greater ability to delay gratification.
 Late Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Acceptance of body image.

• Consolidation of personal identity .

• Further steps toward emancipation.

• Practical vocational goals
• Beginnings of financial independence

• Re-establishment of relationship with

parents (“adult-adult” interaction).
 Late Adolescence
Psychosocial Development
• Decreased need for peer affiliation.

• Increased emphasis placed on individual

friendships.
• Increased capacity for intimacy and
movement toward more stable
relationships.
 Decline in Self
Esteem
• The transition into adolescence is
challenging for many.
• Many girls experience a precipitous
decline in self-confidence and self-
esteem by the age of 12, whereas boys
self-esteem increases with age.
 Decline in Self-Esteem

• Low self-esteem has been linked to:

• Impaired academic performance
• Mood problems such as depression
• Early alcohol and substance use
• Dieting and disordered eating
• Early sexual activity
• Decreased interest in math and science
 Relational Aggression

• Relational aggression is more common among late

elementary and junior high age boys and girls

• What is it?
• Dirty looks, spreading rumors, social isolation or
exclusion, mean jokes, cyber-bullying

• Girls are skilled in navigating relationships.

• Relationships are very important to girls.

• Girls get mixed messages about what kind of

behavior is “ideal”. They are expected to be
passive and powerful at the same time.
 Relational
Aggression
• The line between bully and victim is often
blurred, and roles are frequently reversed.
• This behavior is often invisible to adults.
• Youth involved with bullying are at risk for:
• Health problems
• Depression and suicidal ideation
• Alcohol use
• Poor school achievement
 Nutrition Challenges
• As girls enter adolescence, they become very focused on
physical appearance and attractiveness.
• Girls are avid consumers of the media, and are
bombarded with re-touched, unrealistic, sexualized
images of females.
• The average % body fat of an actress is 10% lower
than that of a healthy woman.
• Consequently, it is no surprise that girls are more likely
than boys to perceive themselves as overweight.

• Girls are likely to think they need to lose weight, even

when they are at a healthy weight.

• Girls often equate thinness with happiness

 Nutrition Challenges
• Troublesome decline in dairy and
nutrient consumption
• Increased consumption of unhealthy
foods
• Unfortunately, overweight adolescents
are very likely to become overweight
adults.
 Other Pitfalls
• Girls become more sedentary as they
enter adolescence.
• Adolescent girls are more than twice as
likely as boys to experience
depression, and more likely to attempt
suicide.
 Parents – The Answer
• The importance of parents cannot be
overstated!!!
• Strong parental support helps provide
teenagers a firm foundation as they
enter adolescence.
• Parental monitoring and supervision
decrease youth involvement in many
high-risk behaviors.
• Adolescents want and need parents,
and other adults who care, in their lives.