Adolescent Stage Monika Yadav

Growth & Development in Adolescence Succession of events in development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty is consistent. There is individual variation in the age of onset, duration and tempo of Growth.

Adolescence Adolescence is a time of considerable physical and psychological growth and change! ADOLESCENCE is the developmental stage between childhood and adulthood. The age at which adolescence begins and ends is imprecise, partly because society is unclear about the roles of people in this stage (no longer children, not yet adults)

Definition of puberty Pubertas – Latin word for “adult” Narrow definition: The process by which an individual becomes capable of reproduction. The activation of the HPG/HPA axis Broad definition: The physical, psychological, and cultural changes that occur as the growing child transitions into adulthood.

Time periods of adolescent Adolescence is a unique developmental period it keeps changing! Early adolescence – 11 to 13 years old Continues to be pushed earlier (9-10…) Middle adolescence – 14 to 17 years old Late adolescence (early adulthood) – 18 to 20 years old Continues to be pushed later (21-24…)

Physical changes… Primary sex characteristics The body organs and reproductive structures and functions that differ between women and men. Gonads (testes and ovaries) Secondary sex characteristics Characteristics of the body that are caused by hormones, develop during puberty, and last through adult life. Changes in genitals/breasts/voice Pubic/body/facial hair

changes… Rapid acceleration of physical growth Adolescent growth spurt 3.5 (girls) to 4.0 (boys) inches/year ½ adult weight gained during adolescence Changes in body composition 3:1 muscle to body fat ratio for boys 5:4 for girls Emergence of sex differences in physical performance Changes in circulatory and respiratory systems Increase in size/capacity of heart and lungs

Two roles of Hormones Organizational role (life-long): Modification of the organism early in life primarily influencing its anatomy Organization/structure of CNS “Feminine” vs. “masculan-ized” brain and body Activational role (specific to puberty): Structural “remodeling” of brain Increase in salience of sexual stimuli, sexual motivation Development of secondary sex characteristics

Hormone regulatory systems Endocrine system HPA axis Hypothalamus  Pituitary gland  Adrenals Corticosteroids Regulates body’s response to stress HPG axis Hypothalamus  Pituitary gland  Gonads (Testes/Ovaries) Sex Hormones (Androgens/Estrogens) Regulates sexual maturation

The hormonal changes brought on by puberty can affect the adolescent’s behavior in at least three ways. Biological changes affect behavior – Figure 1.9 of the textbook. Example for Purple squares: Increases in testosterone  increase in boys’ sex drive and sexual activity. Example for Blue squares: Self-image changes because his body has changed, changes in how he behaves in that boy seeks privacy while bathing. Example for Orange squares: As her body changes a girl gets attention from older boys that previously didn’t notice her changes in how she behaves in terms of all the extra attention. Pages 38 and 39 of the textbook.

Impacts of Puberty Sleep patterns Family relations Peer relations Delayed phase preference 9 hours: 1 am to 10 am Family relations Transformation of parent-child bond Peer relations Transformation of friendships, romantic relationships

Impacts of Puberty Self-esteem Moods Changing body image Changing sense of self Moods Increased stress + Increased sensitivity Fluctuation of moods Due to hormones or environment? “Storm and stress”: myth or fact?

moods

Timing - individual factors Genetic factors Timing and tempo Environmental factors Nutrition Body weight Exposure to hormones/chemicals Family conflict Stepfathers

Timing - Group Factors Comparisons Across socioeconomic groups Impact of poverty Dietary intake, health care, exposure to disease Across countries Impact of industrialization Across time periods Secular trend

Early Maturation Boys Girls Early maturation positives Popularity, higher self-esteem Early maturation negatives Deviant, risk behaviors; more rigidity later Girls Popularity (cultural dependence) Lower self-esteem, eating disorders, emotions, deviant behaviors

Late Maturation Boys Girls Late maturation positives Higher levels of creativity, inventiveness Late maturation negatives Low self-esteem, low social competence Girls Thinner build Social withdrawal

Nutrition, Food & Eating Disorders During Adolescence Food and eating disorders become a focus during adolescence. The adolescent growth spurt requires an increase in food (especially key nutrients such as calcium and iron). Several key nutrients are essential during this period, especially calcium and iron The major nutritional issue for many teens: eating a balance of appropriate foods

Nutrition, Food & Eating Disorders During Adolescence, continued Obesity is a common concern during adolescence. The psychological consequences of adolescent obesity are severe since while body image is a key focus. Potential health consequences of obesity are also of concern

Cognitive Development increases markedly during adolescence Teens begin to use formal operations to solve problems during this period of their growth. Piaget’s approach to cognitive development has had a significant influence on developmental psychologists. FORMAL OPERATIONS PERIOD is the stage during which people develop the ability to think abstractly. Piaget asserted that children enter this stage at the beginning of adolescence

Egocentrism in Adolescent Thinking Developmental Psychologist David Elkind argues that the adolescent period fosters adolescent egocentrism ADOLESCENT EGOCENTRISM is a stage of self-absorption where the world is seen only from one's own perspective. Thus adolescents are highly critical of authority figures, unwilling to accept criticism, and quick to find fault with others. Adolescent egocentrism helps explain why teens often think they’re the focus of everyone’s attention!

Adolescent egocentrism leads to two distortions: IMAGINARY AUDIENCE, where adolescents think they are the focus of everyone else's attention. Constructing elaborate scenarios about other’s thoughts/intentions PERSONAL FABLES, the belief that the adolescent is unique and exceptional and shared by no one else No one understands me Risk taking behavior

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