Lecture 20: Adolescence 1

Question 1

What is adolescence, and what are its key tasks?

Answer 1

• Adolescence (WHO): A transitional phase from childhood to maturity, ages 10–19 years.

Key Tasks:
Adjust to physical changes.
Develop sexual identity.
Adapt to new cognitive abilities.
Strive for emotional maturity and independence.

Question 2

How has the age of puberty changed historically?

Answer 2

• Age of menarche has decreased significantly (e.g., Norway: 17 years in 1840 to 13 years today).

Study: Santrock (1998):
Causes: Improved nutrition, health, heredity, and increased body mass.

Question 3

What are the key physical changes during puberty?

Answer 3

• Growth spurt: 10 inches in height and 40 pounds in weight.
• Hormonal changes: Increased testosterone and estradiol.
• Estradiol is critical for menstruation.

Methodology: Longitudinal studies of adolescent growth trajectories.

Question 4

How does puberty affect body image?

Answer 4

• Adolescents are least satisfied with their bodies during puberty.
• Girls report greater dissatisfaction than boys.

Study: Wright (1989); Brooks-Gunn & Paikoff (1993):
Methodology: Surveys of adolescents measuring self-perception of body image.

Question 5

How does puberty influence mood changes?

Answer 5

• Hormonal changes cause:
  Boys: Anger and irritability.
  Girls: Anger and depression.

Study: Brooks-Gunn & Warren (1989):
Methodology: Longitudinal study linking hormonal fluctuations to emotional changes.

Question 6

What are the hypotheses about the timing of puberty?

Answer 6

1. Stressful Change Hypothesis: Rapid changes cause stress (Simmons & Blyth, 1987).
2. Off-Time Hypothesis: Early/late puberty causes additional distress (Livson & Peskin, 1980).
3. Early-Timing Hypothesis: Early maturation leads to inappropriate maturity demands (Stattin & Magnusson, 1990).

Question 7

How does early puberty affect girls?

Answer 7

• Early-maturing girls experience higher levels of behavioral problems, including aggression and anxiety.

Study: Caspi & Moffitt (1991):
Participants: 348 New Zealand girls.
Methodology: Behavioral problem scales measuring aggression, motor tension, and attention issues.

Question 8

How does early and late puberty affect boys?

Answer 8

• Early-maturing boys: Gain self-esteem, popularity, and leadership but may become rule-bound.
• Late-maturing boys: Are more dependent, insecure, and rebellious.

Studies: Alsaker (1992); Petersen (1993): Longitudinal surveys assessing boys’ social and psychological outcomes.

Question 9

What is the relationship between puberty and depression?

Answer 9

• Depression rates increase significantly for girls during adolescence, doubling the rate for boys by age 13.

Study: Stumper & Alloy (2021):
Methodology: Review of 36 studies linking advanced pubertal stage to depression risks.

Question 10

How does parenting influence adolescent mental health?

Answer 10

• Parental warmth, behavioral control, and autonomy reduce depression.
• Psychological and harsh control increase anxiety and depression.

Study: Gorostiaga et al. (2019):
Methodology: Meta-analysis of 59 studies across ~30 countries.

Question 11

What did Larson et al. (1996) find about time spent with family during adolescence?

Answer 11

• Family time decreases, but one-on-one time with parents remains stable.

Methodology:
Participants recorded activities and emotions 7–8 times daily using pagers.
Sample: 220 middle-class adolescents (grades 5–12).

Question 12

How does parental autonomy support affect adolescents?

Answer 12

• Parental autonomy fosters better emotional regulation and mental health outcomes.

Study: Youniss & Smollar (1985): Observational and survey-based studies on evolving parent-child relationships during adolescence.

Question 13

What are the long-term implications of early puberty for girls?

Answer 13

• Increased risks for depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.

Study: Stumper & Alloy (2021): Longitudinal tracking of hormonal changes and depressive symptoms.

Question 14

How do gender differences manifest in depression during adolescence?

Answer 14

• Rates for girls increase due to hormonal shifts, body image concerns, and environmental stress.

Methodology: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies tracking depressive symptoms and hormonal stages.

Question 15

What are the key findings about adolescence and mental health?

Answer 15

1. Puberty brings significant physical, psychological, and social challenges.
2. Early puberty is linked to increased behavioral problems and mental health issues.
3. Parenting styles play a critical role in adolescent well-being.
4. Depression rates are higher in girls during adolescence due to biological and environmental factors.

Question 16

How do early-maturing boys differ socially and emotionally from late-maturing boys?

Answer 16

• Early-Maturing Boys: Tend to gain popularity, self-esteem, and leadership roles but may feel restricted by rules and responsibilities.
• Late-Maturing Boys: Are often more rebellious, dependent, and insecure.

Study: Gross & Duke (1980): Longitudinal studies assessing social roles and emotional outcomes in adolescent boys.

Question 17

What did Freud (1946) propose about adolescence and parent-child relationships?

Answer 17

• Adolescents individuate from parents to develop emotional and behavioral independence.

Methodology: Psychoanalytic theory applied to case studies on adolescent development.

Question 18

What are the global trends in pubertal timing, and what drives these changes?

Answer 18

• Puberty is occurring earlier worldwide, driven by better nutrition, improved health, and higher body mass index (BMI).

Study: Santrock (1998): Historical analyses of menarche ages across various countries.

Question 19

How does the stressful change hypothesis explain pubertal stress?

Answer 19

• Rapid physical and psychological changes during puberty inherently cause stress.

Study: Simmons & Blyth (1987): Surveys and interviews linking pubertal timing to stress levels.

Question 20

What are the implications of parental warmth during adolescence?

Answer 20

• High parental warmth leads to lower risks of depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in adolescents.

Study: Gorostiaga et al. (2019): Meta-analysis of parenting styles and their impact on adolescent mental health.