Adolescent Psychology Dr. Sara Villanueva

Do you think the way people think about Adolescence has changed over the years?

Defining Adolescence The second decade of life (~10 to ~22) Used to be considered the teen years (13-19) but now… Period of adolescence has lengthened…why? Young people maturing earlier So many people delaying entering working world and marriage til their mid-20’s

Still tough to Define ‘Adolescence’ Is a biologically mature 5th grader an adolescent or a child? Is a 20-year old college student who still lives at home an adolescent or an adult? All depends on the boundaries one uses to define the period Makes more sense to think of adolescent development as a series of transitions from immaturity into maturity

Adolescence: A broad range Because this period spans over a decade, covering so much growth and change, Adolescence divided into 3 phases: Early adolescence: 10-13 Middle adolescence: 14-17 Late adolescence: 18-22 Correspond to anything?

Part I: The Fundamental Changes of Adolescence Chapter 1: Biological Transitions Chapter 2: Cognitive Transitions Chapter 3: Social Transitions

Chapter One: Biological Transitions

Somatic Development: Changes in Stature/Dimensions of the Body Adolescent growth spurt Simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and androgens Peak Height Velocity Time that adolescent is growing most quickly Average female growth spurt is 2 years before the average male growth spurt

Somatic Development: Changes in Stature/Dimensions of the Body Skeletal changes Bones become harder, denser, more brittle Conclusion of puberty Closing of ends of long bones Growth in height is terminated Relative proportions of body fat/muscle change for boys and for girls Changes in the circulatory & respiratory systems

What Are The 5 Major Physical Changes of Puberty? Adolescent growth spurt Development of primary sex characteristics (gonads) Development of secondary sex characteristics (breasts, pubic hair) Changes in body composition Changes in circulation and respiration

Somatic Development: Sexual Maturation Development of secondary sex characteristics (Tanner Stages) Five Stages Changes include growth of pubic hair changes in appearance of sex organs breast development Boys are generally fertile before they have an “adultlike” appearance. The opposite is true for girls. Page 31

Sexual Maturation: Boys Spermarche typically occurs 1 year after accelerated penis growth Boys capable of fathering a child before they look like adults; opposite true for girls

Sexual Maturation: Girls Sequence less regular than in boys Menarche typically occurs after other secondary sex characteristics; regular ovulation follows 2 years later Thus, girls appear physically mature before they are actually capable of reproduction

Variations in the Timing and Tempo of Puberty Onset can begin as early as 7 in girls and 9 ½ in boys; as late as 13 in girls and 13 ½ in boys Interval b/w first sign and complete physical maturation can be as short as 1.5 yrs or as long as 6 yrs

Ethnic Differences Within the U.S., there are Ethnic differences in timing and rate of pubertal maturation AA females mature significantly earlier than MA girls, who in turn, mature earlier than White girls Why the difference? Exposure to toxins in environment General SES Family dynamics

Puberty is Affected by Context Timing of physical changes in adolescence varies by Regions of the world Socioeconomic class Ethnic group Historical era Example: Menarche (first menstruation) U.S. average 12 to 13 years Lumi (New Guinea) average > 18 years

Individual Differences in Pubertal Maturation an interaction between genes and environment Differences in timing/rate among individuals in the same general environment result chiefly from genetic factors Two key environmental influences: nutrition and health Exposure to pheromes Pheromes – a class of chemicals secreted by animals that stimulate certain behaviors in other members of the species. The presence of a stepfather may expose the adolescent girl to pheromes that stimulate pubertal maturation. In general, when mammals live close to biological relatives that slows the pubertal process. Being exposed to unrelated members of the opposed sex may accelerate puberty. Page 36.

Individual Differences in Pubertal Maturation: What can effect the Timing of Pubertal Onset? EARLY Higher affluence; economic advantages But what about Culture/Ethnicity? Better nourishment throughout prenatal, infant, & childhood yrs Better health conditions Growing up in less cohesive families w/ more conflict Growing up in households w/ no natural father; instead having stepfather present (pheromones) Small amts of stress = speed up; great deals = slow down LATE Poorer economic conditions History of protein and/or caloric deficiencies Chronic illness in childhood EXCESSIVE EXERCISE! Ballet dancers, Gymnasts Eating disorders Pheromes – a class of chemicals secreted by animals that stimulate certain behaviors in other members of the species. The presence of a stepfather may expose the adolescent girl to pheromes that stimulate pubertal maturation. In general, when mammals live close to biological relatives that slows the pubertal process. Being exposed to unrelated members of the opposed sex may accelerate puberty. Page 36.

Group Differences in Pubertal Maturation When comparing age of menarchy in different regions of the world, average ages generally lower in countries less likely to experience poverty & malnourishment US median age range: 12.5 to 13.5 vs. Africa 14 to 17 Three group comparisons of average age of menarche Across countries Western Europe and the U.S.: the median age ranges from 12.5 years to 13.5 years. Africa: the median age ranges from 14 years to 17 years. Among SES groups within a country Girls from affluent homes reach menarche before girls from economically-disadvantaged homes Within same populations but different eras Norway, 150 years ago: average age at menarche may have been at about 17 years. Norway, today: average age is 12 or 13 years.

Psychological/Social: The Impact of Specific Pubertal Events Most adolescents react positively to pubertal changes especially secondary sex characteristics Reactions to menarche are varied but less negative than in the past Less known about boys’ reactions to first ejaculations …why? Page 46 notes cultural differences in boys’ responses to first ejaculation. For example, in Nigeria, boys told their friends about the experience soon after it occurred. In the United States, boys do not usually discuss this event with parents or with friends.

Psychological/Social: Early or Late Maturation Perception of being an early or late maturer is more important in affecting one’s feelings than the reality Early maturation does bring social advantages But early maturation is associated with More drug and alcohol use Precocious sexual activity Context is important to consider

Eating Disorders in Adolescence

Eating Disorders Basal Metabolism Rate Obesity Disordered eating The minimal amount of energy one uses when resting Obesity The most common eating disorder among adolescents Disordered eating Patterns of eating attitudes and behaviors that are unhealthy.

Eating Disorders Deviation from the “ideal” physique can lead to loss of self-esteem and other problems in the adolescent’s self- image Studies of magazines, 1970 to 1990 Ideal body shape became slimmer Ideal body shape became less curvaceous

Things to think about… Eating disorders are becoming more prevalent in the U.S., especially among young people Characterized by physically and/or psychologically harmful eating patterns 13.4% of girls and 7.1% of boys engaged in disordered eating patterns Factors associated w/ disordered eating: low self-esteem, depression, substance use, suicidal ideations The increasing emphasis on thinness (especially for women) is occurring as the population of the U.S. is becoming heavier 30-67% of normal-weight adolescent and college girls believe they are overweight 80% of ALL women are dissatisfied with their bodies

Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Adolescents with these eating disorders have an extremely disturbed body image. Bulimia Eating binges; force themselves to vomit 3% of adolescents are genuine bulimics Anorexia Starve themselves to keep weight down Fewer than ½ of 1% of adolescents There is a clip on the McGraw-Hill Visual Assets Database that would relate well to this section of the textbook. Eating Disorders GRACIELA ANDRESON, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, STUDENT HEALTH CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, U-C. A clinical psychologist describes the types of eating disorders that occur among young women. She states that food is not the main psychological concern for these girls. Instead, the real issue is the need to feel in control.

Anorexia Nervosa INTENSTE fear of becoming obese which does not subside even with extreme weight loss Refusal to maintain body weight above minimum normal weight for one’s age and height (ie, she is more than 15% below expected body weight) Body image distortion – looks in mirror and sees FAT when in reality… Can cause liver, kidney, and heart failure Deadliest of all psychiatric illnesses

Anorexia Nervosa Onset usually occurs after puberty or late adolescence In order to meet criteria, females must have absence of at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles Primarily occurs in adolescent girls/women and rare in males Prevalence - .5 to 1% of female population Increase in early onset anorexia in girls b/w ages of 8 and 13! Obsessed with weighing themselves and the way others may “see” them Prevalent among dancers, gymnasts, models

How can they not realize that they are starving themselves TO DEATH? Anorexia Nervosa How can they not realize that they are starving themselves TO DEATH? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJPrhJty7TM

Bulimia Nervosa Recurrent episodes of binge eating – eat abnormally large amounts of food in a small space of time Loses control when bingeing Uses vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or dieting to control weight Two or more eating binges a week, occurring for 3 or more months Overconcern with body weight and shape Onset usually during late adolescence or early adulthood Prevalence rate: 1-3% of population

Bulimia Nervosa Two sub-types: Purging type: individual regularly vomits or uses laxatives, diuretics, or enemas Nonpurging type: excessive exercise or fasting used in an attempt to compensate for binges

Important to know… Differences b/w Anorexia & Bulimia People w/ Bulimia realize their eating patterns (binging/purging) are not normal – frustrated and ashamed by that knowledge Bulimia much more prevalent than anorexia A person’s weight has little to do with Bulimia whereas anorexic criteria is <15% normal body weight

Videos http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/thin/program.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh7M8yNKQ7M