Adolescence

Question 1

Describe body growth, motor performance, and sexual maturation during puberty.

Answer 1

girls stop growing before boys (and hit puberty earlier)
Estrogens are responsible for changes in girls, while testosterone is predominantly responsible in boys. Puberty in both girls and boys are impacted by androgen hormones
estrogens + androgens contribute to bone density
menses - first period
spermarche – first production of sperm
boys: growth spurt around age 12.5, shoulders broaden, longer legs, gain more muscle/aerobic efficiency, dramatic spurt in speed, strength and endurance during teenage years
girls: growth spurt at age 10, hips broaden, add more fat, slow gains in motor growth

Question 2

Discuss changes in parent‒child and sibling relationships during adolescence

Answer 2

There is often parent-child conflict during adolescence as teenagers develop their own beliefs and rebel against what their parents want. adaptive value
most conflict is paired with love and support, is mild and subsides over time
deidealize parents
type of shared activity more important than quantity of time spent
siblings
attachment remains strong in most cases
less intense, both in positive and negative aspects

Question 3

Describe peer groups, and dating relationships and their consequences for development.

Answer 3

peer groups:
cliques: 5-7 people, more important for girls, share backgrounds
crowds: composed of multiple cliques, based on reputation and stereotypes
Dating
determined by cultural expectations
early adolescence is for recreation and social status, can have consequences
late adolescence is for intimacy

Question 4

STI prevention and intervention strategies in adolescence and early adulthood

Answer 4

delay onset of sexual behavior as long as possible/abstinence
teach about contraception and condoms (abstinence only education does not work)
oral sex is underestimated as a mode of transmission (use condom or dental dam)
skills for handling sexual situations – discussing how to handle beforehand
building academic and social competencies
info and access to contraceptives

Question 5

How does decision-making in adolescents progress?

Answer 5

adolescents tend to make riskier decisions due to wanting to rebel and a lack of understanding/caring about the consequences of their actions, d/t the fact that the prefrontal cortex is still developing (until age 25)
struggle with delay of gratification
unchecked drive for novelty
self regulation difficulties because emotional/social network outpaces cognitive control network → decreased inhibition
often don’t evaluate options, falling back on well-learned judgements

Question 6

Effects of social media use in adolescents

Answer 6

social amplifier: those that feel alone feel even more alone, and those with friends feel more connected
important context for friendship communication, boys more likely to use gaming, girls more likely to text, call and use social media sites
risk: face to face interactions may suffer, possibility for misinterpretations and expressing jealousies
benefits: foundation for future intimate relationships, opportunities to explore the self and others, greater prosocial behavior, improved attitudes towards school involvement

Question 7

Trends in adolescent friendships

Answer 7

tend to be same sex
very stable
decreased quantity, increased quality
similar in identity status, deviant behavior, political beliefs, educational aspirations
cooperation and mutual affirmation increase
risks: corrumination (esp in girls), relational aggression, masculine stereotypes limiting closeness

Question 8

Trends of suicide in adolescence

Answer 8

boys more at risk, less social support
ethnicity, sexual orientation, personality and poverty put at risk