2.11 Adolescence

Question 1

define adolescence

Answer 1

• period of transition between childhood and adulthood
• historically ages 12-18

Question 2

what developmental tasks occur during adolescence?

Answer 2

• De-idealizing and separating from parents
• Centralizing peer relationships
• More abstract thinking
• Development of identity
• Increasing autonomy

Question 3

What is the result of autonomy supportive parenting?

Answer 3

• higher wellbeing
• lower problem behaviours
• pursuit of intrinsically valued goals

Question 4

What can controlling parenting lead to?

Answer 4

• frustration
• more emotional and behavioral problems
• leads to mutual escalation of conflict
• can negatively impact on later relationships outside family

Question 5

What is Synaptic pruning?

Answer 5

• Complex filing system being completely reviewed and tidied up
• occurs around time of puberty
• unwanted or unused connections discarded
• significant restructuring of the brain
• Adolescents estimated to loose up to 17% of grey matter
• likely linked to on sent of mental health problems

Question 6

What is Myelin formation?

Answer 6

• thickening of myelin which allows messages to travel around the brain quicker
• neural firing becomes 3000 times quicker
• allows adolescents to rapidly improve skills
• pruning created more differentiated, specialized brain
• Myelin integrates the brain more effectively

Question 7

What Hormonal changes happen in adolecsents?

Answer 7

• More cortisol: worry, anxiety, stress
• More varying serotonin; risk of low mood
• Increase dopamine; sensitivity to rewards - risk taking
• Melatonin; released later at night for them than adults, combined with early school starts leading to social jet lag

Question 8

how does sleep affect teens?

Answer 8

• need 9 to 10 hours, due to school start get 6-7 hours
• linked to low mood and poorer learning

Question 9

stats about parenting teens

Answer 9

• 75% report happy relationship with a parent
• 25%, usually pre-existing problems

Question 10

What did Lothar & Latendresse (2005) study? what were results?

Answer 10

• studied 3 cohorts of children
• median parent income $80-125k
• compared to inner city control groupp
• Teens from high income familied had increase incidence of depression, anxiety and substance use
• achievement pressures, isolation, over-reliance on peers, popularity linked to drug use

Question 11

What protective factors can be used to prevent psychiatric disorders

Answer 11

• supportive family members
• development of skills and interests
• emotional regulation
• academic achievement