Adolescence (Late Childhood)

1. Introduction to Adolescence

  • Adolescence begins with puberty, marked by physical and hormonal changes.

  • Average onset: Girls around age 9-15, Boys around age 10-13.5.

2. Physical Development During Puberty

2.1 Stages of Development

  • Tanner Scale: Stages I (preadolescent) to V (adult).

    • Assessing secondary sexual characteristics:

      • Pubic hair growth

      • Male genital development

      • Female breast development

  • Average duration of puberty: 3 years (1.8 - 4 years).

    • Historical trend notes declining age of menarche (from age 16 to 13).

2.2 Hormonal Changes

  • Reactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

    • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) released during sleep.

    • Changes in metabolism and growth.

3. Social and Emotional Development

3.1 Social Influences in Adolescence

  • Increased social awareness and conformity (7th-9th) during early adolescence (grades 5-9).

  • Processes affecting friendships: Social comparison, homophily, and social influence.

  • Engaging in friend groups with similarities closer to self

  • Late/early maturation can have social effects

  • Similar academic achievement predicts friendships; low-achieving friends avoided by high-achieving students.

3.2 The Risk-Taking Paradox

  • Adolescents recognize risks but are more motivated to engage in risky behaviors.

  • Increased mortality during adolescence often due to preventable causes (accidents, suicide).

4. Brain Development

  • Dopamine and other hormones influence brain maturation during adolescence.

    • Structural changes: Myelination and neuronal pruning.

    • Enhancements in cognitive functions like response inhibition around ages 14-19.

5. Psychological Issues in Adolescence

5.1 Common Disorders

  • Prevalence of anxiety and stress-related disorders (10% of youth).

  • Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder commonly arise during adolescence.

  • Anorexia - characterized by restriction; with self-starvation and excessive weight loss (feel in control)

  • Bulimia Nervosa - cycles of binge-eating and purging (out of control)

  • Low BMI and dieting

5.2 Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

  • Factors include body dissatisfaction, dieting behaviors, and internalization of the thin ideal.

6. Developing a Self-Identity

  • Erikson's stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion; adolescence as a time for exploring different roles.

    • Marcia’s Identity Statuses: Crisis and commitment explored in occupational choice, religion, and political ideology.

  • Teenage narcissism: imaginary audience and personal fable (uniqueness/invincibility)

  • Peer popularity is big influence during this time period

  • Older friends tend to be a bad influence (parental monitoring)

  • Sullivan - peers help shape development

7. Sexual Development and Relationships

  • Managing sexual feelings, engaging in intimate relationships, and navigating risks associated with sexual behavior.

  • Deployment of effective sexual education linked to positive outcomes: delayed sexual initiation, reduced STIs.

8. Impact of Culture and Identity

  • Racially and ethnically diverse youth are at higher risk for psychological problems driven by trauma and discrimination.

  • The importance of cultural identity in moderating effects of discrimination and enhancing self-esteem.

9. Family Dynamics

  • Shifts in parental roles; increased need for monitoring and communication during adolescence.

  • Mild conflict with parents can contribute to autonomy but needs balancing with attachment.

10. Conclusion

  • Understanding adolescent development encompasses a range of physical, emotional, and social changes crucial for healthy development.