adolescence and early adulthood

Question 1

define adolescence

Answer 1

period of psychological and social transition between childhood and
adulthood.

Early adolescence= 11-14; middle adolescence= 14-17; late adolescence= 18-21.

Question 2

how does onset of puberty differ between the genders

Answer 2

Girls start puberty earlier than boys, grow taller earlier than boys and are physically mature
2 years earlier than boys.

Question 3

what are Early maturing girls and late maturing boys are at higher risk of

Answer 3

depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and bullying

Question 4

what happens to brain matter composition leading up to puberty

Answer 4

prefrontal cortex,

there is an increase in grey matter up to puberty.

Question 5

what happens to brain matter composition after puberty

Answer 5

After puberty, grey matter density
decreases to early adulthood. From puberty onwards, there is an increase in cortical white
matter.

Question 6

define puberty

Answer 6

the process of physical changes by which adolescents reach sexual maturation.

Question 7

In girls when does puberty occur

Answer 7

ages 10-14

Peak
in puberty is generally earlier in girls compared to boys.

Question 8

female Pubertal changes include

Answer 8

breast budding, growth of pubic

hair, growth spurt, first period, growth of underarm hair and a change in body shape.

Question 9

In boys, puberty is between

Answer 9

12-16

Question 10

male Pubertal changes include

Answer 10

growth of scrotum and testes,
change in voice, lengthening of penis, growth of pubic air, growth spurt, growth of facial and
underarm hair and a change in body shape.

Question 11

what triggers Onset of 
androgen production (Puberty)

Answer 11

maturation of the CNS affecting GnRH neurones

altered set point to gonadal steroid negative feedback.

Question 12

define Menarche

Answer 12

first period

Question 13

define adrenarche

Answer 13

premature menarche

Question 14

what has happened to age of menarche over time

Answer 14

decreased over the last 150 years and has
levelled off over the last 3-4 decades.

body weight remained
relatively constant at 47kg.

Question 15

what hormones are produced following GnRH release that cuases affects of puberty

Answer 15

stimulates pituitary production of FSH/LH

stimulates gonads to produce sex steroids

sex steroids cause secondary sexual characteristics  puberty

Question 16

what protein acts on Hypothalamus to switch on GnRH pulsatility

Answer 16

Kisspeptin (formerly known as metastin) is a protein that is encoded by the KISS1 gene in humans.

Question 17

what other hormone interacts with this protein toi trigger puberty

Answer 17

Leptin

secreted peripherally from adipose tissue

Question 18

what Psychological Changes occur in puberty

Answer 18

Cognition e.g. morality
• Identity - struggle to understand ones self
• Increased self-awareness
• Affect expression and regulation

Question 19

recall the main areas of normal social development in

adolescence.

Answer 19

Family - parental surveillance, confiding, influence academic choices,

Peer development - influence interpersonal style, sensitive to acceptance & rejection

School attainment

Social role – education, occupation

Question 20

what is the Developmental mismatch hypothesis

Answer 20

Grey, white & dopaminergic pathway changes increase

vulnerability to risk taking

Question 21

define anorexia nervosa

Answer 21

body weight maintained 15% below expected weight, or BMA < 17.5

Question 22

what are the features of Anorexia (besides body weight)

Answer 22

self-induced weight loss

psychopathology- dread of fatness and a preoccupation with this

endocrine disturbances- amenorrhoea, or delayed growth and puberty in younger
sufferers.

Question 23

Causes of anorexia nervosa

Answer 23

genetic predisposition, perfectionist temperament, specific subcultures, childhood
abuse, higher social class.

Question 24

Treatment of anorexia nervosa

Answer 24

family intervention, CBT (for abnormal eating attitudes and depression), hospital
administration for weight restoration

Question 25

Differential diagnosis of anorexia nervosa

Answer 25

Physical - crohns, diabetes

Psychiatric - Depression, Psychosis

Question 26

define depression how is it classed

Answer 26

persistent sadness or low mood; with a loss of interest or pleasure and/or
fatigue/ low energy. It

can be classed as mild, moderate or severe.

Question 27

Causes of depression

Answer 27

familial-

genetic factors, hormonal changes, effects of family interactions, life
events, adversities.

Question 28

Treatment of depression

Answer 28

CBT, interpersonal psychotherapy, family interventions, antidepressants.

Question 29

how is Antisocial behaviour defined

Answer 29

by society- behave in a way that goes away from social
norms.

There is an increase in antisocial behaviour over the years.

Question 30

how is conduct disorder defined

Answer 30

defined by psychiatry- a repetitive and persistent pattern of dis-social,
aggressive or defiant behaviour.

freq/severity beyond social norms

Question 31

what actions fall under conduct disorder

Answer 31

tantrums, truancy, stealing and cruelty to animals.

Question 32

what Psychological interventions can ameliorate the problems linked to psychological disorders

Answer 32

Parenting programmes-
-how to deal with behavioural difficulties.

Cognitive problem-solving
-resolve conflict in a
more constructive way.

Interventions at school
-management of disruptive behaviour;
increasing reading ability.

Multi-systemic therapy- targets causes of youth anti-social behaviour