The document discusses the key physical, psychological, and social changes that occur during adolescence. It describes the hormonal changes of puberty and their effects on physical development, mood, and sexual desires. It also addresses common problems adolescents face, like anxiety over physical changes, idealizing celebrities, experimenting sexually, and conflicts with parents over independence.

3. Students should be able to:
 Know the concept of adolescence
 Understand the hormonal and psychosoical
change of adolescence
 Describe the problems of adolescence

4.  Anxiety and uncertainty
 Overt biological and psychological changes
 Biological changes include skeletal growth,
physical and sexual development
 Role adoption
 Psychologically --- cognitive development and
maturation of personality
 Adoption of Adult role

5.  Marked by profound hormonal changes mainly
the sex hormones
 Adolescents are too sensitive to their physical
appearance
 Age of puberty
 Puberty in males and females
 Factors influencing onset of puberty

6.  Large increase at age 17 years in boys
 Hormonal changes bring about tremendous sexual
desires
 Sex hormones greatly influence the maturation of
central nervous system
 Mood is also affected by these hormones
 Increase in testosterone causes heightened sex
desire and thus adolescents resort to masturbation

7.  There is difference in attitude towards sex arousal
in both sexes
 Unresolved Oedipal Complex may cause
problems in adolescents
 Adolescents now idealize stars (movie, music,
sports, politicians)
 Sexual adventures begin
 Negotiate sex orientation and persuade
adolescents for healthy practices through
counseling by parents and teachers
 Onset of menarche and required education may
be imparted at home and at school

8.  Neurological maturation through formation of more
dendritic synapses
 Abstract thinking also develops at this stage
 Creative interest in different fields take their final
form
 Achievement of secure sense of identity
 Negativism and argument with parents on different
issues is not very uncommon

9.  Ziegler a child psychologist warns, “do not
misinterpret acceptance as permissiveness Letting
children do what they want when they want does no-
one any good. Homework must be done family rules
respected and consideration shown”.

10.  Psychological distress
 Personality disorganization
 Changes in mood and behavior
 This state may be mistaken as psychosis and
should therefore be investigated and negotiated
with patience

11.  Traditional Adolescent Conflict
 Looking for resolution of developmental
 “angst;” working through adolescent
conflict
 at multiple levels:
 – Identity (self, family & society)
 – Sexuality
 – Independence
 – Loss of innocence
 – Vulnerability

12.  Opportunities for making friends of same age
sex and interest are provided by school
 Parental support is necessary as a buffer
 Sudden changes in behavior, friendship and
personal appearance are warning signs of
concern for parents

13.  Represents conflicting
approaches and perception
between the child and
parents about variety of life
events
 Attempts at independence
and parental worries add to
this generation gap
 Parents’ own weaknesses in
setting limits may further
complicate the relationship

14.  Superego weaknesses of parents and unrealistic
anxiety about the sex life of the children may
cause emotional turmoil in the parents
 With time this generation gap may be narrowed
through conscious and unconscious attempts by
both the parties

15.  In late adolescence moral and ethical values are
further ingrained
 In the absence of formal guidance the child may
develop inclination according to his/her own
perceptions and background knowledge

16.  Role models are principal determinants of choice
of occupation
 Other factors like opportunities, finances,
motivation, aptitude and emotional stability play a
facilitatory or inhibitory role

17.  It is a risk taking behavior like fast driving and
adventure seeking etc.
 Many drugs of abuse are available and the
incidence is increasing day by day in school and
college students due to peer pressure, easy
availability of drugs and influence of drug
marketers
 Parental vigilance, high morality and choice of
good friends are protective factors

18.  In the west the incidence of pregnancy through
illicit relationships is on the increase
 Boys are sexually more aggressive but not
faithful as compared to girls
 Availability of contraceptives and facilities for
voluntary abortions further encourage the
teenagers to indulge in sex practice
 The future of children born to these mothers is
stormy and uncertain

22.  Violent crimes and
homicides are on the
increase in U.S.A. These
are more common in boys,
in blacks, in children
brought up only, by
mothers and probably
adolescents with low
social economic state.

23.  Adolescence ends when
one assumes the role of
young adult and develops a
sense of intimacy likely to
conclude in marriage and
parenthood. Depression
and anxiety in adolescents
is not uncommon but not all
have the opportunity for
treatment or counseling .