AOS1 U2 Health - Emotional Development

Definition

Relates to experiencing the full range of emotions, and increasing complexity relating to the expression of emotions, the development of self-concept and resilience.

Self Concept

Represents how individuals view themselves; develops over time through diverse life experiences.

• Seeing oneself as connected to others to developing a distinct, individual identity

• Includes academic ability, social skills, and physical capabilities

• Directly influences and shapes identity formation; establishing a clear sense of who you are

Experience full range of emotions

• The variety of experienced emotions grows significantly as individuals develop from infancy through adulthood.

• Early infancy is limited to basic emotions (joy, anger, sadness, fear), while developing a “sense of self” introduces complex emotions (shyness, guilt, pride)

• Young children typically feel one emotion at a time, whereas older individuals learn they can experience multiple, conflicting emotions (bittersweet feelings).

• Development involves learning learning to accurately identify diverse emotions.

Learning appropriate ways of expressing emotions

• Deeper emotional development directly improves an individuals ability to control and express their feelings appropriately.

• Outbursts like temper tantrums are common in toddlers due to immature emotional control, whereas adults are expected to manage these impulses.

• Emotions like desire, guilt and jealousy are common and expressed in varied ways depending on an individuals maturity.

• A major achievement in emotional development is learning to accept unchangeable situations and redirecting energy toward things that can be changed

Building resilience

• Resilience is the ability to effectively deal with adverse or negative events to occur throughout life

• Coping strategies:

• Relaxation & Leisure - Exercise, socialising, and rest to restore clarity and focus.

• Meditation - Calming the mind to reduce stress and redirect energy.

• Goal Setting - Breaking overwhelming situations into manageable, achievable steps.

• Social support - Talking to others to gain perspective and express feelings

• Positive self talk - Utilising a constructive inner voice to foster a resilient mindset.

Emotional changes as youth transition to adulthood - Self Concept

• Exploring personal values and beliefs, leading to a much deeper understanding of one’s true self

• Developing a strong sense of identity can trigger feelings of personal pride and achievement

• Maturity brings the aspect of not worrying about the opinions of others

Emotional changes as youth transition to adulthood - Experience full range of emotions

• Emotional independence, being able to solve personal problems without parental guidance.

• Individual decision-making can result in pride and satisfaction upon success, or despair and frustration upon failure

• Navigating these varied emotional outcomes teaches individuals to accept responsibility and manage the full spectrum of resulting feelings.

• As social dynamics shift, youth begin to explore intimacy and affection, learning appropriate ways to express complex romantic emotions like love and lust.

Emotional changes as youth transition to adulthood - Learning appropriate ways of expressing emotions

• Being able to accurately identify a broad spectrum of feelings as they occur.

• Using language to articulate and regulate their internal states.

• Increased emotional maturity allows youth to handle intense emotions like anger calmly, opting to communicate and discuss the underlying causes rather than reacting impulsively.

Emotional changes as youth transition to adulthood - Building Resilience

• Using positive self talk to navigate the disappointment of missing out on a first part-time job.

• Adults possess higher levels of resilience than children because they actively build upon and refine the basic coping strategies established earlier in life.