Adolescence Behavioral Science Lecture 9 Feb 9, 2006

“This is the time in our lives where we experience things for the 1st time – boyfriends, girlfriends, pressure to drink, to smoke.” 18 YEAR OLD FEMALE

John Hill’s Framework for Examining Adolescence Fundamental Changes (Universal) Important Contexts Important Psychosocial Changes

Fundamental Changes Biological Puberty and related changes in growth and maturation Cognitive Formal operations Social Changes in peer relations / family relations

Contexts of Adolescence Family Peer Group School Work These serve to mediate impact of fundamental changes

Psychosocial Changes Identity (sense of self) Autonomy (independent self) Intimacy (close relationships) Sexuality (enjoyment of physical contact) Achievement (success)

Pubertal Growth Spurt Average onset - age 9 Range of onset - 8 to 13 Peak growth rate occurs at 11 to 14 or 15 Growth ends age 19 GirlsBoys Average onset - age 11 Range of onset to 13.5 Peak growth rate occurs at 13 or 17 Growth ends age 21

Growth at Puberty During 2-3 year period during peak growth Boys may grow as much as 9 inches Girls may grow as much as 6 to 7 inches

Weight Changes Associated with Puberty Prior to puberty pattern of weight gain similar for boys and girls At puberty Girls have rapid weight gain ~12 to 13 May gain ~35 pounds over growth spurt Boys have rapid weight gain ~14 to 15 May gain ~45 pounds over growth spurt

Changes in Strength & Endurance Prior to puberty no real difference between boys and girls in strength and endurance Between 5 and 16 Boys muscles grow 14 times as large Girls muscles grow 10 times as large At end of puberty boys (on average) can exercise longer and exert more force than girls of the same size

Effects of Pubertal Timing Girls on average start puberty 2 years prior to boys Different effects of being an early or late maturer for girls and boys For girls it also changes over time For boys the outcomes are more consistent

Effects of Pubertal Timing Girls Early Maturers Initially low self-esteem Embarrassed Isolated, teases Later become popular Late Maturers Low self esteem Increases after menarche Boys Early Maturers High self-esteem Leaders, Athletes Late Maturers Low self-esteem

Secular Trend Since 1900 children of all ages have increased in size Roughly 2-3 cm each decade Onset of Menarche has moved earlier by 4-5 months every 10 years since 1850

For some time researchers thought this trend was stabilizing around 13

Identity Erikson - “Identity Crisis” Issue of: Identity vs Role Confusion James Marcia’s Theory of Identity 2 key aspects of Identity Formation  Struggle  Commitment

Identity Formation Struggle ? YESNO YES NO Commitment? Identity Achievement Foreclosure Identity Moratorium Diffusion

Identity Not a unidirectional path Can go back and forth between stages Appear to be domain specific Individual Sexuality Career Politics Religion

Changes in Self-Esteem Some evidence that self-esteem drops between childhood and adolescence But there are many transitions in adolescence More changes (puberty, school, relationships, etc., ) = greater loss in self-esteem Typically larger loss for girls  (timing of puberty is earlier!)

Depression - Rates rise in Adolescence Age (years) Mean Depressed Mood Score

Suicide 1 out of 1000 adolescents attempts suicide each year Girls 4 times more likely than boys to attempt More boys succeed (use more lethal means) 3rd leading cause of death in year-olds Accidents # 1 Homicides #2

Death rate = 64.7 per /4 of deaths are preventable

Death rates increase dramatically during adolescence

Males at greater risk than females

Death rates vary greatly by race/ethnicity

Mortality rates have declines somewhat but are relatively stable

Suicide Associated Factors Advent of puberty Poor school performance Stressful home situation Drug / Alcohol use Precipitating Events Divorce or remarriage of parents Death in the family Suicide or death of close friend

Preventing Teenage Suicides Warning Signs Direct suicide threats and comments Previous suicide attempt Preoccupation with death Problems with sleeping, eating, and personal hygiene Problems with schoolwork Dramatic changes in behavior Withdrawal from family and friends Giving away valued possessions Intervention is important!! And often effective Drug therapy Psychotherapy Diminish self-criticism Foster active approach to solving life’s problems

Crime / Delinquency 54% of all serious crimes (murder, assault, robbery) are committed by youths aged % of all general arrests involve individuals 18 and under Mean Seriousness of Crime Convictions by age 30

Characteristics of Juvenile Offenders Low self-esteem School problems Chronic unemployment Below average IQ Abused or neglected Families with problems

Teen Sexual Activity by Sex and Grade % Grade

Sexual Activity Teen pregnancy continues to be a national problem Most are unintended More than 900,000 pregnancies occur in teenagers aged ~190,000 teens 17 and under have children Babies born to these teens are often low birth weight and high a disproportionately high mortality rates  Likely to be poor  Likely to lead teenage to drop out of school  Each year of secondary education reduces probability of being on public welfare by 35%

Sexual Activity 4 out of 10 teenage girls in America become pregnant at least once before turning 20 ~ half of these pregnancies are terminated by abortion Abortion more common for Whites 95% of teens who do not have an abortion keep the child More likely to be poor and minority

Negative Consequences of Teen Pregnancy Drop out of school Unemployment Poverty Health (for mother and infant)

Additional Issues Regarding Sexuality Teenagers are not very knowledgeable About contraception About sexually transmitted diseases Often don’t know how they are transmitted Education and contraceptive use are key issues that need to be addressed from a public health perspective

Substance Abuse Overall 26 % of teens report daily use of cigarettes Whites42% African Americans15% Latino/Latina27% Overall 4 % of teens report daily use of alcohol 31 % report binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row)

Substance Abuse Illicit Drugs 54% report use over lifetime (used ever) 26% report some current use Inhalant use - 8th graders 21 % report lifetime use 12% report use in last year

Experimenters vs Abusers Some experimenting with drugs and sex seems to be a normal aspect of adolescence Not necessarily related to problem use later

Family Stress and Adolescence Majority of parents report that adolescent years are the most difficult ones for childrearing Decrease in positive emotion Increase in negative emotion Disagreements Increase from Decrease from

Family Stress Most adolescents respect their parents 88% report getting along well with their parents Majority of adolescents share the same basic attitudes and values with their parents But both parents and teens don’t always realize this!

Importance of Communication Families that communicate well prior to adolescence tend to “weather the storm” better and have better relations after the adolescent period Communication appears to be the key to reducing stress, disagreements, and negative behaviors