Module 34: Challenges during Adolescence Flashcards
Secular Trend
children may be starting puberty earlier but spending more time to reach full sexual maturity
What may be a reason for the secular trend?
+ may be due to higher standard of living, undernutrition, health, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals
+ may also because they were firstborn, being born to a single mother and harsh maternal parenting practices
+ however, it was concluded that children who are exposed to high stress when young tend to reach pubertal milestone earlier than those who are not
What has early maturation been linked to?
+ early maturation has been liked to adult health issues such as cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
+ early puberty can be a predictor of adult obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – disorder causing acne, irregular periods, excess hair growth, and the growth of cysts on ovaries
When do the effects of early or late maturation become negative?
effects of early or late maturation are most likely to be negative when adolescents are much more or less developed than peers
What can a sedentary lifestyle in adolescence lead to?
A sedentary lifestyle may result in increased risk of poor mental health, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and an increased likelihood of heart disease and cancer in adulthood
Sleep Patterns in Adolescence
Children generally go to sleep later and sleep less on school days the older they get
Sleep Deprivation in Adolescence
Sleep deprivation can sap motivation and cause irritability, and concentration and school performance can suffer
Secretion of Melatonin after Puberty
After puberty, the secretion of melatonin takes place later at night, making it difficult for adolescent to go to bed early
Overweight Teenagers
Overweight teenagers tend to be in poorer health than their peers and are more likely have difficulty attending school or engaging in strenuous activity
Body Image
one’s perception, thoughts, and feelings
about one’s body
When do girls express the highest and lowest body satisfaction?
Girls tend to express the highest level of body satisfaction when underweight, some dissatisfaction when average weight, and the most dissatisfaction when overweight
Anorexia Nervosa
distorted body image, severely underweight, may be withdrawn or depressed, and afraid of losing control and becoming overweight
Bulimia Nervosa
short-lived binge eating and then purging by self-induced vomiting, strict dieting, excessive exercise, etc.
Binge-eating disorder
binging without purging of food
What kind of drugs are adolescents most likely to abuse?
A recent trend is the abuse of nonprescription cough and cold meds (dextromethorphan)
Binge Drinking
consuming five or more drinks on one occasion
What is happening to the brain when teenagers begin to be sensitive to environmental influences?
When the brain is undergoing significant structural and functional change, might be a period of the life span during which teens should be particularly sensitive to environmental influences
What is true about drinking alcohol in adolescence?
Alcohol interacts with inhibitory and excitatory receptor systems that are developing in adolescence, making them more sensitive to rewarding effects of alcohol and less sensitive to its negative features
What parts of the brain are changing in those individuals who drink alcohol?
Those who drink show changes in key prefrontal areas, including middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, left frontal cortex, frontal pole, and left frontal gyrus – all areas involved in executive control
What is a big risk factor for depression?
Being female is a risk factor for depression
Why is being female a risk factor for depression?
This may be due to biological changes associated with puberty
What are the leading causes of death in US teenagers?
- Motor Vehicle collisions
- Suicide
- Homicides
What is the background of adolescents who consider or attempt suicide?
Young people who consider or attempt suicide tend to have histories of emotional illness
