Adolescence
Introduction
The term Adolescence is derived from Latin word Adolescere which means to
grow up or grow into maturity
It means attaining mental, emotional, social maturity as well as physical maturity
G Stanley Hall (1904) Adolescence ( two volumes)
Teenage 13-19
Juvenile is below 18
WHO defines adolescence as developmental phase between childhood and
adulthood (10-19)
outline
Characteristics
Developmental milestones
Problems
Implications
Characteristics
1. Transition period : sexual and legal maturity
2. Rapid multifaceted changes
3. Period of attaining sexual maturity
4. Period of vagueness and confusion
5. Change in attitude and perception
6. Period of incoordination
7. Period of loss of self confidence
8. Period of antagonism
9. Period of heightened emotionality
Adolescent stages
Early adolescence- 10-14 years- onset of puberty, independence from family and
peers and imitation of models or hero worship
Mid adolescence- 15-17 years- emergence of individuality
Later adolescence- 18 years and older are threshold of adulthood and extends to
physical and intellectual maturity
Aspects of development
1.Physical development- growth spurt
Puberty as bio psycho social construction, Need for privacy ,Nursing care
2. Cognitive Development:
Propositional reasoning, Symbolic thinking, Futuristic thinking
Hypothetico deductive reasoning, Meta cognition
Emotional Development
Stanly Hall - Phylogenetic period when human ancestors moved from beast to human
,Period of storm and stress
Universal and inevitable upheaval (Kett, J)
Cannot tolerate criticism, any humiliation,
By middle adolescence , learn to restrain outbursts
Erikson’s Identity crisis, types
Peer care
Moral Development- Conventional Morality in the early adolescence then by the end of
adolescence reach post conventional morality.
Developmental Task
1. Separation from family
2. Ability to take care of oneself
3. Developing consistent identity
4. Developing peer group identity
5. Healthy sexual identity
6. Developing personal value system
7. Preparing for future
8. Mental evolution of a satisfying realistic body image
9. Cognitive development with transition from concrete to abstract reasoning
Developmental Hazards
Sex inappropriate body build
Sickness
Obesity
Psychological hazards- failure attain developmental tasks
Decline in school performance
Mental disorders
Mental disorders in adolescence
Anxiety Disorders-excessive fear, avoidance
Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, difficulty in sleeping
Social phobia/ anxiety disorder
Conduct disorder: Anti social behaviour
Borderline personality disorder- unstable relationship with parents and close
friends
Obsessive compulsive disorder– rigid and extreme variant behaviour
Juvenile Delinquency - crime
Violence
Self injury
Depression
Suicide
Addiction- alcohol, drugs,
Cyber addiction
Implications for teachers
Guidance and counselling
Involving parents
Belongingness
Address their needs and aspirations
Understand the stage and provide for platforms to be active
Provide for individual needs
