Adolescence 1: Puberty, Parenting, and Mental Health

• Adolescence Definition: Transition from childhood to maturity (ages 10-19; WHO).

• Developmental Tasks:

  • Adjusting to body changes and sexuality.

  • Cognitive and emotional maturation.

  • Gaining economic independence.

Puberty: Historical and Biological Perspectives

• Historical Trends:

  • Earlier onset of puberty over centuries (e.g., Norway: mean age of menarche dropped from 17 in 1840 to 13 today).

• Factors Influencing Onset:

  • Nutrition, health, heredity, body mass, and socioeconomic status.

• Physical Changes:

  • Onset: 7-year range, average process length ~4 years.

  • Gender differences: Begins 2-3 years earlier for girls.

  • Growth: ~10 inches height and 40 lbs weight gain.

  • Hormonal changes: Testosterone (males) and estradiol (females).

Psychological Changes

• Body Image:

  • Dissatisfaction peaks during puberty, higher in girls than boys.

• Mood Changes:

  • Hormonal and social stress contribute to anger and irritability (males) and depression (females).

Pubertal Timing Theories

1.    Stressful Change Hypothesis: Rapid pubertal changes cause distress.

2.    Off-Time Hypothesis: Early/late maturation causes additional stress.

3.    Early-Timing Hypothesis: Early maturation can lead to inappropriate maturity demands and risky behaviours.

Mental Health and Depression

• Depression emerges during puberty, with gender differences appearing by age 13:

  • Girls: Higher rates linked to hormonal, body image, and environmental stress.

• Studies show advanced pubertal stages increase depression risk, particularly in girls.

Parent-Child Relationships

• Theories:

  • Freud: Adolescents individuate, becoming independent.

  • Others: Maintain psychological independence while staying connected.

• Findings:

  • Family time declines with age, but quality remains unaffected.

  • External factors (e.g., jobs, driving, peer activities) mediate this decline.

• Parenting Styles:

  • Warmth and autonomy associated with lower anxiety/depression.

  • Psychological and harsh control linked to higher levels of mental health issues.

Adolescence 2: Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, and Identity Formation

Key Concepts

1.    Self-Concept:

o   Perceptions and beliefs about oneself.

o   Includes emotionally valenced traits and judgments.

2.    Self-Esteem:

o   Confidence in abilities and self-worth.

3.    Self-Efficacy:

o   Confidence in capability to execute actions.

Development of Self-Concept

• Moves from concrete (childhood) to abstract (adolescence).

• Adolescents differentiate actual vs. ideal self.

• Challenges:

  • Middle adolescence: Largest gap between actual and ideal selves.

  • Positive self-concept can buffer against emotional disorders.

Identity Formation

• Theories:

  • Erik Erikson: Adolescents face a crisis of identity vs. role confusion.

  • James Marcia: Four identity statuses—achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, diffusion.

• Cultural Influences:

  • Secular trends: Identity formation extends into adulthood.

Mental Health Connections

• Negative self-concept linked to depression and anxiety.

• Self-esteem shaped by external feedback (Cooley's "looking-glass self").

• Social anxiety associated with negative self-perceptions.

Gender Differences

• Girls exhibit more negative self-concept than boys, contributing to higher prevalence of mental health issues in females.

Summary of Insights

• Adolescence is a critical period marked by physical, psychological, and social transitions.

• Pubertal timing, body image, and self-concept heavily influence mental health.

• Effective parenting and positive self-perception serve as protective factors.