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AdolescenceAdolescent Behavior and Development

Presenter; Presenter;

Prince Noah NantajjaPrince Noah Nantajja

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Adolescence Physical Maturation

Secondary sex characteristics are the physical characteristics other than genital, that indicate sexual

maturity, such as body hair, breasts, and deepened voice

• Adaptation at puberty requires an integration of biological, psychological, and social changes

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Adolescence

• Physical Changes in Girls & BoysConcerns about Obesity – the greatest concern

adolescent girls express about their bodies is the perception they are too fat, which may result in peer rejection

Reactions to Breast Development and Menarche• The development of breast buds is a welcome sign

for most girls but menarche is associated with a mix of positive and negative feelings

• Menarche ;Menarche ;• The beginning of regular menstrual periodsThe beginning of regular menstrual periods

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Adolescence

Although some girls are prepared by their parents or other relatives for menstruation, the topic is often

handled as a matter of hygiene rather than as a sexual transition, and therefore many girls do not

understand the relationship between menstruation and reproduction

Boys generally welcome the changes, involving increased height and muscle mass, that bring them one step

closer to adult maturity.

Boys are generally not well prepared by their parents with information on the maturation of their

reproductive organs so lots may happen.

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Adolescence

• The Secular Trend & Individual Differences in Maturation Rate

– A secular growth trend is a decrease over time in the average age at which physical maturation takes place– Changes in hygiene, nutrition, and health care have

contributed to an earlier growth burst over the past century

– The age at commencement of puberty and the rate of change in physical maturation vary

– Early and late maturing have psychological and social consequences for both boys and girl

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Adolescence

– Images of adolescence often refer to new levels of emotional variability, moodiness, and

emotional outbursts

– Given the likelihood of a more differentiated range of emotions during adolescence, a major

task during this time is to gain a tolerance of one’s emotionality

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Emotional DevelopmentEmotional Development

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Adolescence

• Eating DisordersEating Disorders– Eating disorders are an example of internalizing

problems, turning one’s frustration, anger, or fear inward on the self

– It is characterized by a fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain a minimally normal body

weight, and perceptions of one’s body as overweight in general or in specific area

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Adolescence • Depression– Depression is a state of feeling sad, often accompanied by

feelings of low personal worth and withdrawal from relationships with others

– Depressed mood refers to feelings of sadness, a loss of hope, a sense of being overwhelmed by the demands of

the world, and general unhappiness

– Depressive syndrome refers to a constellation of behaviors and emotions that occur together. The

syndrome usually includes complaints about feeling depressed, anxious, fearful, worried, guilty, and worthless

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• Factors Associated with DepressionFactors Associated with Depression– Adolescents face a number of challenges that make

them vulnerable to depression• Parental loss or rejection has been found to increase

an adolescent’s vulnerability to depression

• expose to more negative events and hassles. social alienation, excessive demands, romantic concerns, decisions about one’s personal future, loneliness

and unpopularity, various annoyances and concerns, social mistreatment, and academic challenges

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• Adolescents are relatively inexperienced in coping with these kind of stressors

– Most studies find no differences in depression between prepubescent boys and girls;

however, during the period from about age 11 to 15, gender differences are systematically

noted and continue to be evident into adulthood, with depression more common in

females than in males

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Adolescence

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