PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADOLESCENT Prof. Dr. Oya Ercan

Typical age of events of puberty MF Start of puberty Growth spurt1412 Menarche12-13 Spermarche13-14 Length of puberty3-4 years 4-5 years Development of full sexual function NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

 Early bloomer ♀ Cognitively immature adolescent  Late bloomer ♂  20% stormy-tempestuous  Earlier childhood adjustment  Family functionality

1-Formation of a positive stable personal identity  The need to establish self-esteem  To become able to control impulses rather than being controlled by them  Moral values  Abstract thought Highly structured cultures Rapidly changing society years of age → experience

2. Establishing independence from adults especially parents  Psychological or emotional(not physical separation)  A change

3. Acquiring skills for future economic independence

4.Developing relationships with others outside the family  Displacing affection for the parents onto others

5.Learning to function properly in the appropriate sexual role

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENTS 3 Psychosocial Developmental Phases  Early adolescence:12-14 years, 10- (12)13  Middle adolescence:15-17 years, 13- (16)17  Late adolescence:18-21 years, 17-(19)20

EARLY ADOLESCENCE (gathering information)

GROWTH:  Secondary sexual characteristics have begun to appear  Growth rapidly accelerating; reaches peak velocity

COGNITION:  Concrete thought dominant  Cannot perceive long-range implications of current decisions and acts.  Tend to have unrealistic or idealistic goals for their lives

PSYCHOSOCIAL SELF:  Preoccupation with rapid body change and question of “Am I normal?”  Frequent comparisons of body with others

FAMILY:  Defining independence - dependence boundaries  No major conflicts over parental control  Less interest in parental activities

PEER GROUP:  Seeks peer affiliation to counteract instability generated by rapid change  Compares own normality and acceptance with same sex/age mates  Usually forms solitary friendships with members of the same sex (best friend)

SEXUALITY:  Self exploration and evaluation  Limited dating  Limited intimacy

AGE RANGE:  Initiates between ages 11 and 13 and merges with midadolescence at years

MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE

GROWTH:  Secondary sexual characteristics well advanced.  Growth decelerating, stature reaches 95% of adult height

COGNITION:  Rapidly gaining competence in abstract thought  Less idealistic vocational aspirations  Capable of perceiving future implications of current acts and decisions but variably applied  Reverts to concrete operations under stress  Feelings of omnipotence and immortality leading to risk taking behaviour

PSYCHOSOCIAL SELF:  More comfortable with physical change  Clothes and make-up important  Preoccupation with fantasy and idealism in exploring expanded cognition and future options

FAMILY:  Major conflicts over control  Struggle for emancipation and self responsibility  Parents can be seen as flawed thus not worthy of absolute authority  Moderation threatens independency!!

PEERS:  Influence greatest during this period  Intense involvement with peer group  Conformity with peer values, codes and dress in an attempt to seperate further from family  Peer group → arena and mirror  Central forum for exploration of new life experiences(curiosity and personal power)

SEXUALITY:  Heigtened sexual activity  Testing ability to attract opposite sex and parameters of masculinity or femininity (narcissistically)  Preoccupation with romantic fantasy

LATE ADOLESCENCE

GROWTH:  Mature stature, reproductive capability complete

COGNITION:  Abstract thought firmly established (although it has been shown that not all adults have capability of abstract thought)  Future oriented, develops a sense of perspective with the abilities to delay and compromise to achieve goals  Refinement of religious, moral and sexual values

PSYCHOSOCIAL SELF:  Emancipation complated  Begin to appreciate the importance of parental values

FAMILY:  Relationship adult-adult  May allow family help on partners

PEER GROUP:  Peer group recedes and are replaced by individuals friendships based on common interests

SEXUALITY:  Forms stable relationships  Capable of mutuality and reciprocity in caring for another rather than former narcisstic orientation  Plans for future in thinking of marriage and family  Intimacy involves commitment rather than exploration and romanticism

AGE RANGE:  Approximatelly years, upper end particularly variable.  Dependent on cultural, economical and educational factors