1. Socioemotional Development in Adolescence
Children 17
Socioemotional Development in Adolescence
John W. Santrock

2. Socioemotional Development in Adolescence
What Characterizes Emotional Development and Self-Development in Adolescence?
What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?
What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development?
What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

3. Emotional Development
What Characterizes Emotional Development and Self-Development in Adolescence?
Emotional Development
More extreme emotions
Emotions more changeable, fleeting
Moodiness is normal
Decrease in overall happiness
Risk of depression

4. What Characterizes Emotional Development and Self-Development in Adolescence?
Self-Reported Extremes of Emotions by Adolescents, Mothers, and Fathers 5 10 15 20 25 30
Percent of self-reports
Very happy
Very unhappy
Mothers
Adolescents
Fathers
Fig. 17.1

5. Self-Esteem How we feel about ourselves
What Characterizes Emotional Development and Self-Development in Adolescence?
Self-Esteem
How we feel about ourselves
Often decreases in transition from elementary to junior high school
Appears to fluctuate across lifespan
Higher for males at most ages

6. Self-Esteem Across the Lifespan
What Characterizes Emotional Development and Self-Development in Adolescence?
Self-Esteem Across the Lifespan
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.5
4.0
3.4
3.2
3.6
3.1
3.0
3.3
Average self-esteem score
18-22
Age
80-89
13-17
9-12
23-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
Fig. 17.2

7. Erikson and Identity 5th stage: Identity vs. identity confusion
What Characterizes Emotional Development and Self-Development in Adolescence?
Erikson and Identity
5th stage: Identity vs. identity confusion
Confusion takes 2 forms: isolation or lost identity in the crowd
Identity: a self-portrait of many pieces
Physical, cognitive, social, emotional
A lengthy, complex, lifelong process

8. Autonomy and Attachment
What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?
Autonomy and Attachment
Conflict when adolescents push for autonomy
Parents should relinquish control gradually, as adolescent is able to make reasonable decisions
Gender and culture affect seeking and granting autonomy

9. Parent-Adolescent Conflict
What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?
Parent-Adolescent Conflict
Escalated conflict due to
Biological changes (puberty)
Cognitive changes (idealism, logic)
Social changes (independence, identity)
Maturational changes
Violated expectations

10. Parent-Adolescent Conflict
What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?
Parent-Adolescent Conflict
Parents serve as support system as adolescents explore wider world
Most conflict is moderate
Some prolonged, unhealthy conflict associated with adolescent problems
Conflict is less in some cultures

11. Competent Adolescent Development
What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?
Competent Adolescent Development
Parents should
Show warmth and respect
Show sustained interest in children’s lives
Recognize and adapt to child’s cognitive and socioemotional development
Communicate expectations, high standards
Display constructive problem solving

12. What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Friendships
Dramatic increase in psychological importance and intimacy of close friends
Most motivated by popularity with peers
Peers help shape development; increased mutual dependency for many needs
Friend’s character and quality of friendship are important influences

13. Change in Self-Disclosing in Conversations
What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Change in Self-Disclosing in Conversations
Self-disclosure in conversation score 2 3 4 1
Grade
5th
7th
10th
College
2nd
Fig. 17.5

14. Peer Groups Peer pressure can be negative; most is positive
What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Peer Groups
Peer pressure can be negative; most is positive
Adolescents conform more to peer standards than younger children do
Resist parental influence stronger in U.S.
Self-esteem can motivate membership

15. Peer Groups Cliques Crowds Average 5 to 6 people Usually same sex, age
What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Peer Groups
Cliques
Average 5 to 6 people
Usually same sex, age
Formed from shared activities, friendship
Crowds
Larger than cliques, more informal
Usually formed based on reputation
May not spend much time together

16. What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Peers and Culture
Some societies restrict adolescents’ access to peers, especially girls
Adolescents engage in more peer interaction during school and in shared leisure activities
Adolescent lifestyles affect desires for and frequency of peer interactions

17. Dating and Romantic Relationships
What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?
Dating and Romantic Relationships
Dating and developmental changes
Heterosexual romantic relationships
Early romantic involvement
More social anxiety
More school-related problems
Special social concerns
Most youth find comfort in numbers

18. Age of Onset of Romantic Activity
Percent of students 80 60 40 20
100
4th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
5th
Grade
Fig. 17.6

19. Depression More likely to occur in adolescence than in childhood
What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?
Depression
More likely to occur in adolescence than in childhood
Higher rates in girls than boys
Related factors
Family
Peers
Difficult changes

20. Suicide Rare in childhood; risk escalates in adolescence
What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?
Suicide
Rare in childhood; risk escalates in adolescence
Third leading cause of death in 10- to 19- year-olds in the U.S.
19% of U.S. high school students have considered or attempted
Females more at risk than males

21. Suicide Risks in adolescence Homosexual adolescent risk controversial
What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?
Suicide
Risks in adolescence
Homosexual adolescent risk controversial
Recent concern for use of antidepressants and suicidal thoughts
Issues of copycat suicides
Depression is most frequently cited factor

22. Successful Prevention/ Intervention Programs
What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?
Successful Prevention/ Intervention Programs
Know that most at-risk adolescents have multiple problems
Early sexual activity linked to use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol
High-risk youth do-it-all

23. Successful Prevention/ Intervention Programs
What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?
Successful Prevention/ Intervention Programs
Intensive individualized attention
Community-wide, multiagency, collaborative approaches
Early identification and intervention