Adolescent development

Psychosocial

-The first principle of adolescent psychosocial development is that the transition from adolescence to adulthood is continuous and generally smooth. -The second principle of adolescent psychosocial development is that the biologic, cognitive, and emotional changes experienced in adolescents require a reworking of family relationships. Some adolescent-parent conflict is expected due to this reworking of relationships.

Cognitive

Adolescents develop formal operational thinking characterized by the use of propositional thinking and abstract reasoning. Begin to consider values. Understand concepts of good and evil and understand human nature. Become aware of contradictions between what is said and what is done. Begin to understand the significance of their place within the construct of time and begin thinking about what they will be doing in the future. Most adolescents will develop the ability to translate experiences into abstract ideas and think about the consequences of actions.

Emotional

Hormones present during puberty cause increased emotional and physical changes. Emotional changes appear differently in males than in females. Some emotional changes that occur are not directly associated with hormonal changes. Research shows that boys with adult-like physiques are given more leadership roles, are more proficient in sports, and are perceived as more attractive and smarter than their peers. Late-maturing boys who are short and child-like in appearance until 15 years or older tend to show more personal and social maladjustment over the entire course of adolescence. They can be insecure, suggestible, vulnerable to peer pressure, and subjects of bullying or seen as weak, immature, and less competent. Males, as they progress through puberty, typically develop a more positive self-image and mood, whereas females may feel a diminished sense of attractiveness as their bodies mature. Males tend to be more satisfied with their body image and may want to either gain or lose weight, whereas girls are more likely to express a desire to lose weight.

Male Tanner Stages

Stage 1: The initial sign is testicular enlargement (average at age 11 years). Growth of the testes occurs approximately 6 months before the development of pubic hair in most males. Stage 2: Start to have pubic hair development. Sparse growth of fine, downy hair along the base of the penis. Enlargement of the scrotum and testes begins, but the penis usually does not enlarge. Scrotal skin reddens. Stage 3: Pubic hair is darker, coarser, and curlier. Pubic hair extends over the middle of pubic bone. Further growth of the testes and scrotum. Enlargement of the penis, mostly in length. Stage 4: Pubic hair is adult-like in appearance but not in distribution. Does not extend onto the thighs. Growth of testes and scrotum continues. Penis increases in size, especially in width. Stage 5: Pubic hair is adult-like in appearance and extends onto the thighs. Genitals are adult-like in size. Development of axillary, facial, and body hair occurs.

Female Tanner Stages

Stage 1: ovaries increase in size. No visible body changes occur. Stage 2: Breast budding (thelarche). First appearance of pubic hair that is sparse, long, slightly pigmented, downy, straight or slightly curled. Primary located along the labia. Stage 3: Rapid linear growth usually begins shortly after the onset of breast budding and peaks about a year later. Further enlargement of the breast and areola with no separation of their contours. Pubic hair is coarser, darker, and more curled. Spreads over the middle of the pubic bone. Stage 4: Distinctive projection of the areola, with the papilla forming a secondary mound above the level of the breast. Pubic hair is adult-like in appearance but not in distribution. Does not extend onto the thighs. Stage 5: Adult-like breasts. Pubic hair is adult-like in appearance and extends onto the thighs. The first menstrual period (menarche) occurs, on average, at 12.5 years old.