Adolescent development Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is the age bracket of adolescence?
- Adolescents = 10-19yo
- Youth = 15-24yo
- Young People = 10-24yo
What are the 3 stages of adolescent development?
- Early: 10-14y.o.
- Middle: 15-16y.o.
- Late: 17y.o.+
What are the other definitions of adolescence?
- Onset of puberty until achievement of economic independence
- Cross-cultural considerations
What are the developmental tasks of adolescence?
- Achieving independence from parents/other adults
- Development of a realistic, stable, positive self-identity
- Formation of a sexual identity
- Negotiating peer and intimate relationships
- Development of a realistic body image
- Formulation of own moral/value system
- Acquisition of skills for future economic independence
What are the different domains of adolescent development?
- Physical
- Social/Emotional
- Cognitive
What are the different physical developments in adolescence?
- Rapid physical growth
- Reproductive capabilities
- Secondary sexual characteristics
What happens to peer relationships in adolescence?
- Peer interaction occupies more time than in middle childhood
- Basis for friendships changes
- Shared interests, values, beliefs, attitudes
- Friendships with same and opposite sex
- First romantic/sexual relationship for many
- Increased reliance on friends for support
- Close and supportive friendships contribute to positive psychological adjustment
What happens to family relationships in adolescence?
- Renegotiation of relationships as adolescents strive for increased autonomy
- Parent-child conflict increases:
- Centring around self-governance issues
- “Testing out” new reasoning skills
- Authoritative parenting style associated with better adolescent adjustment
What is the difference between parents and peers to adolescents?
- Parents/Adolescents – shared values
- Adolescents consult parents vs. peers for advice about:
- Peers:
- What to wear
- Which interests to pursue
- Which social activities to attend
- Parents:
- Academic/Occupational goals
- Other future-oriented decisions
- Peer Pressure
What cognitive developments occur during adolescence?
- Thinking about possibilities
- Thinking through hypotheses
- Thinking ahead
- Thinking about thought
- Thinking beyond conventional limits
What happens to self-concept during adolescence?
- Incorporate psychological terms into self-description
- Personality attributes, roles, goals, interests, values, beliefs
- Describe attributes in a variety of domains – e.g.:
- Academic competence, athletic competence, job competence, physical appearance, social acceptance, friendships, romantic appeal
- Recognition of “different selves” across contexts
- “I’m shy with boys, but you can’t shut me up with my friends”
What does an increased understanding of self often result in?
Self-criticism
What is important to self-esteem?
Peer acceptance
What is low self-esteem associated with?
Difficulties including depression, suicide, eating disorders, antisocial behaviour
What 3 different elements contribute to self-esteem in adolescent development?
- Increased understanding of self
- Social comparison
- Peer acceptance
What happens to social comparison in adolescent development?
- With developments in social cognition, start to ask “how do I measure up?” against peers across domains
- Children compare themselves against peers even when nobody else explicitly makes the comparison
What notable developments of the pre-frontal cortex occur during adolescence?
- Notable developments in pre-frontal cortex – controlling executive functions
- Planning
- Impulse Control
- Reasoning
How long does brain development occur?
Extends into the adolescent years (and beyond)
What are the 6 big risks for adolescent health?
- Unintentional Injuries (accidents)
- Intentional Injuries (violence, suicide)
- Risky Sexual Behaviours
- Substance Use
- Unhealthy Diet
- Inadequate Physical Activity
Which gender is more at risk healthwise during adolescent development?
Males>Females
What are the major causes of death in adolescence?
- Leading cause of death (66%) among12-24yo = Injury
- Predominantly
- Transport Accidents
- Suicide
- Differs from population in general
What are the major mental health problems in adolescence?
- Onset of a number of mental health difficulties commonly seen in adolescence – e.g.:
- Eating Disorders
- Substance Abuse
- Depression
- Suicide
What are the 3 most prevalent chronic illnesses during adolescence?
- Serious mental health problems
- ADHD
- Asthma (respiratory conditions)
What are different dimensions of chronic illness?
- Duration
- Age of onset
- Limitation of activities
- Visibility
- Expected survival
- Mobility
- Physiological functioning
- Cognition
- Emotional/Social
- Sensory functioning
- Communication Course
- Uncertainty Stigma Pain
