Adolescent Development

Learning Objectives At the completion of this presentation, officers will be able to: Accurately describe the nature of adolescence Identify key changes in physical development in adolescence and discuss how such changes impact behavior Identify adolescent problems in substance use, eating disorders, and health; and discuss how such problems impact behavior Identify key cognitive changes in adolescence and discuss how such changes impact behavior Identify some key aspects of how schools influence adolescent development and behavior

Learning Objectives, cont’d Identify changes in the self and emotional development during adolescence and discuss how such changes impact behavior Describe changes that take place in adolescents’ relationships with the parents Describe changes that occur in peer relations during adolescence and discuss how such changes impact behavior Describe cultural considerations in responding to adolescent behavior Identify adolescent problems in socioemotional development Identify strategies for helping adolescents in crisis.

What is “normal” for adolescence?

Remember being a teenager?

Stereotypes?

Rebellion Crisis Pathology Deviance Troubled Disrespectful Self-centered

More accurate description Positive self-concepts Positive relationships with others Self-confident Optimistic Happy most of the time Enjoy life Perceive self as able to exercise self-control Value work and school Positive feelings toward families Feel they have the capability to cope with life’s stresses

Current “climate” for adolescents More opportunities and tools More numerous demands and expectations More risks and temptations Less stable environment High divorce rates High adolescent pregnancy rates Increased geographic mobility Complex lifestyle options High rate of drug use in US

Nature of Adolescence Transition from childhood and adulthood Identity exploration and discovery Evaluation and Decision Making

Understanding Adolescents Biological Social Psychological

Physical Changes Puberty Adolescent Sexuality Brain

The Adolescent Brain

Spurts in neural activity Changes in neurotransmitters Different maturation speeeds for different parts

Due to brain development at this stage, adolescents might be more likely to respond with “gut” reactions to emotional situations rather than with rational, reasoned responses.

Last part of the brain to mature is the part needed for Planning Setting Priorities Suppressing Impulses Weighing consequences The brakes for risky, impulsive behavior and thinking before acting are still under construction!

Adolescent Problems Substance Use Eating Problems and Disorders Health Problems

Substance Use US has highest rate of drug use of any industrialized nation Alcohol abuse major adolescent problem The earlier the use, the more negative the consequences Parents and peers play important roles

Eating Disorders Have increased Role of media Emphasis on body Peer and social influence

Health Problems Critical juncture Health habits forming Poor nutrition Lack of exercise Inadequate sleep Risk-taking behavior- seat belts, helmets, driving practices, contraception 3 leading causes of death: accidents, homicide and suicide

Cognitive Changes in Adolescence Egocentrism: heightened self- consciousness imaginary audience- others as interested in them as they themselves are, attention-getting attempts to get noticed (“on stage”) personal fable- sense of uniqueness and invincibility (“no one will understand me”, “I won’t get pregnant or hurt”)

More cognitive skills Increased decision making Increased critical thinking Increased speed of processing, capacity, breadth of knowledge and use of strategies

Social Changes and Challenges School transitions to middle and high school (from top-dog to lowest position) Increase in peer influence and pressure Dating begins Less parental presence Increased expectations

Socioemotional Development Efforts to understand one’s self and emotions Changes in social contexts- families, peers Social Problems- delinquency, depression

Self-Esteem Overall way we evaluate ourselves self-image, self-worth Declines in early adolescence for both boys and girls, but drop for girls is greater- perhaps due to body image issues Caution! Declines are often exaggerated and actually are small in nature.

Identity

Who am I? Some experts believe main identity changes take place in late adolescence or youth Need individuation and connectedness in parent-adolescent relationships for progress Can be particularly challenging for ethnic minorities

Emotions Adolescents report more extreme and fleeting emotions, less happy Moodiness normal aspect of adolescence Hormonal influences often small Environmental experiences may contribute more

Relationships: Parents Push for autonomy Attachment to parents important Parent-adolescent conflict increases but usually moderate and may serve to promote autonomy and identity Small subset of adolescents may experience high parent-adolescent conflict which is linked with negative outcomes

Relationships: Peers Dramatic increase in psychological importance and intimacy of close friends Pressure to conform to peers strong (especially during 8th and 9th grades) Cliques/ crowds impact self-esteem Dating takes on added importance, and has many functions. Early dating- special concerns Many gay and lesbian youth disguise sexuality and may have inner conflict

Role of culture Much variation in adolescents across cultures Traditions, expectations, changes Much research has not teased apart influences of ethnicity and social class Need to recognize differences between ethnic groups and between ethnic groups and White majority Do not see differences as deficit Need to recognize differences WITHIN ethnic groups do not stereotype

Adolescent Social Problems Juvenile delinquent: adolescent who breaks the law or engages in conduct that is considered illegal Violence among youth Higher rate of depression- gender differences Adolescent suicide 3rd leading cause of death in U.S. adolescents Problem behaviors are interrelated

Common components of programs: Provide individual attention to high-risk adolescents Develop community-wide intervention Include early identification and intervention