1. Adolescent Psychology PSYC 2307 Dr. Sara Villanueva

2. What Is 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

3. Tough to Define Is a biologically mature 5 th 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

4. 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?

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

6. Chapter One: Biological Transitions

7. What is Puberty? From Latin word pubertas (adult) Period of lifespan in which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction Hormones regulated by the endocrine system lead to physical changes No new hormones are produced and no new bodily systems develop at puberty

8. The Endocrine System: HPG Feedback Loop HPG Axis: HPG Axis: Hypothalamus Pituitary gland (master gland) Gonads (testes and ovaries) Gonads release sex hormones into bloodstream Androgens and estrogens

9. 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

10. 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

11. What triggers Puberty?

12. What Are The 3 Major Physical Changes of Puberty? Adolescent growth spurt Development of primary sex characteristics (gonads) Development of secondary sex characteristics (breasts, pubic hair)

13. How Do We Know? How do Scientists Investigate Pubertal Maturation?

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Individual Differences in Pubertal Maturation Pubertal maturation 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 Early pubertal maturation in girls is related to: Presence of a stepfather, experiencing childhood abuse, familial conflict, and growing up without a father

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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?

24. 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

25. Eating Disorders in Adolescence

26. What is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders are serious but treatable illnesses with medical and psychiatric aspects Most commonly known are Anorexia and Bulimia Also includes Binge-Eating Disorder** “Eating disorder not other wise specified” is a classification of disorder that combines several diagnostic classifications but does not meet exact criteria for classic diagnosis Can become very serious, chronic, and even life threatening if not recognized and treated appropriately

27. The Scary Truth Eating disorders cause immeasurable suffering for victims and families Have reached epidemic levels in US- all segments of society 86% report onset of symptoms by the age 20 (peak age of onset 14-18) 77% report duration of illness from one to 15 years As many as 10% of patients with anorexia die Suicide contributes significantly to the death rate in eating disorders

28. The Role of Genetics “We think genes load the gun by creating behavioral susceptibility such as perfectionism or the drive for thinness. Environment then pulls the trigger.” – Walter H. Kaye, M.D. 50 to 80% of cause is genetic AN and BN share common genes AN, BN run in families

29. Anorexia Nervosa Substantial self-induced weight loss or refusal to maintain weight at or above minimal normal weight for age and height (less than 85% of what is expected) Irrational (morbid) fear of fatness/gaining weight Intense drive for thinness Amenorrhea, i.e. absence of at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles Two subtypes: (a)classic food restriction (ANR) and (b) binge- purge subtypes (ANBP)

30. Signs and Symptoms of AN  Feeling cold compared to peers  Hair loss/thinning scalp hair  Development of lanugo hair (fair, downy hair on face and back)  Decreased blood pressure/dizziness  Decreased heart rate  Dry skin, brittle nails  Missing periods (females)  Sad, depressed, moody, irritable  Often display sensitive, perfectionistic, self-critical features  Decreased levels of testosterone (males)

31. Bulimia Nervosa Recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized by the following: -Eating within discrete period of time an amount of food larger than most people would eat during the time and circumstances -A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode Recurrent compensatory behaviors (purging) to prevent weight gain: e.g..vomiting, laxative, diuretics, fasting, diet pills, excessive exercise. Self evaluation is defined by body shape and weight

32. 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

33. Signs and Symptoms of BN Preoccupation with food, weight and body Dehydration/electrolyte disturbances Constipation Irregular menstruation in women Broken blood vessels in eyes Sore, irritated throat Low energy/fatigue Stomach ulcers/bloating Abrasions of knuckles Irregular heart beat, low blood pressure Depression, anxiety, guilt or shame, low self esteem http://anabootcamp.weebly.co m/commandments.html http://anabootcamp.weebly.co m/commandments.html

34. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) Recurrent and persistent episodes of binge eating Binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following: Eating much more rapidly than normal Eating until feeling uncomfortably full Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating Marked distress regarding binge eating Absence of regular compensatory behaviors (such as purging).

35. 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

36. 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

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