Adolescence and early adulthood

Question 1

Define adolescence

Answer 1

Phase between adulthood and childhood, pubertal development may be the start of adolescence

Question 2

State some of the changes that occur during adolescence

Answer 2

cognitive/emotional - reasoning, emotion, identity Peers - sex, peer activities, influence Biology - endocrine, physical growth Family - challenging rules, discipline needs reasoning

Question 3

What is the precursor of puberty?

Answer 3

Adrenarche

Question 4

When does adrenarche start?

Answer 4

Females 6-9 Males 7-10

Question 5

What rises in adrenarche?

Answer 5

Rise in adrenal 19- carbon steroid production, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS).

Question 6

What is a manifestatoin of increased DHEA and DHEAS?

Answer 6

Manifests clinically as the appearance of axillary and pubic hair, usually about age 8.

Question 7

What is role of DHEA and DHEAS?

Answer 7

UNCERTAIN possible precursor to puberty

Question 8

Summarise endocrinology of puberty

Answer 8

Growth is due to gonadal steroids mostly androgens working in conjuction with other hormones particularly SOMATOTROPHIN from adenohypophysis

Question 9

What are the two theories for the onset of puberty?

Answer 9

Maturation of the CNS affecting GnRH neurones (increased pulsatile release)

Altered set point to gonadal steroid negative feedback

Question 10

What might trigger the maturation of the CNS?

Answer 10

Unclear

However, there is evidence of a secular trend toward towards earlier puberty which could mean suggest environemental factors such as - improved healthcare and socio-economic

Question 11

Although age of menarche may be getting lower has weight changed?

Answer 11

No, still around 47kg

Question 12

What are the Psychological Changes?

Answer 12

• Cognition e.g. morality
• Identity
• Increased self-awareness
• Affect expression and regulation

Question 13

What are social changes?

Answer 13

• Family - parental surveillance, confiding

• Peers

• Increased importance
• More complex & hierarchical
• More sensitive to acceptance & rejection
• Romantic relationships

• Social role – education, occupation, etc

Question 14

What are wider social influences?

Answer 14

School

Work

Culture

Social influences - unemployment, poverty

Question 15

When is peak cortical thickness?

Answer 15

13 years old

Question 16

What is developmental mismatch hypothesis

Answer 16

Grey, white & dopaminergic pathway changes increase vulnerability to risk taking

Question 17

What is the link with mental health?

Answer 17

Usually develop early

3/4 established before 24

1/2 before 14

Self-awareness and comparison to others.

Question 18

What is anorexia nervosa?

Answer 18

Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory and physical health.

Intense fear of gaining weight/persistent behaviour that inteferes with weight gain

Question 19

What are the cardinal features of Anorexia Nervosa?

Answer 19

Body weight maintained at least 15% below recommended BMI

Weight loss is self-induced

Psychopathology - dread of fatness, preoccupation

endo disturbance - amenorrhoea, delayed growth and puberty in young sufferers