This document defines adolescence and describes some key physical, psychological, and social changes that occur during this developmental period. It discusses the onset of puberty through the maturation of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. It also outlines factors like nutrition, stress, brain development, substance use, and sexual health risks that can impact adolescents' well-being.

1. Adolescence (Part 1)

2. Definitions Adolescence Developmental stage between childhood & adulthood Puberty The maturation period during which the sexual organs mature Menarche The onset of menstruation Spermarche The first spontaneous ejaculation of sperm-laden fluid, usually around age 13 Primary Sex Characteristics Characteristics associated with the development of the sex & reproductive organs Secondary Sex Characteristics The visible signs of sexual maturity not involving the sex organs directly

3. Growth Spurt Period of Rapid Growth Boys grow 4.1” per year Girls grow 3.5” per year Girls begin about age 11 Boys begin about age 12

4. Puberty Pituitary Gland Puberty begins when the pituitary gland signals other glands to release hormones Androgens (male hormones) Estrogens (female hormones)

5. Puberty in Girls Environmental & Cultural Factors Menarche signals the onset of puberty Better nourished girls begin earlier Stress is a factor Primary & Secondary Sexual Characteristics Changes occur in the vagina & uterus Breasts develop & pubic hair grows

6. Puberty in Boys Primary & Secondary Sexual Characteristics Penis & scrotum growth, prostate gland & seminal vesicles enlarge along with the induction of spermarche Pubic, underarm, & facial hair begin growing The larynx enlarges & the voice deepens

7. Psychological Reactions Body Image Embarrassment about the growth & changes Early/Late Maturation Early maturation brings weight Boys more popular esp. with adult males & tend to have more problems in school Girls early maturation leads to uncomfortable feelings, less self-esteem Late maturing girls have lower status for dates, etc. early on By 10 th grade, have better self-feelings & about bodies

8. Nutrition Obesity 1 in 5 adolescents is overweight 1 in 20 is obese (more than 20% over the average weight) The 2 reasons are lack of exercise and poor diet

9. Nutrition Anorexia Severe eating disorder in which an individual refuses to eat 15% - 20% starve to death Boys (10%) are becoming anorexic Bulimia Bingeing & Purging Although the weight remains fairly normal, vomiting & diarrhea produces physical problems Psychological & social factors involved

10. Brain Development Growth of Neurons Growth brings more complexity to interconnections & more sophisticated thinking Neuronal Pruning 1% - 2% per year with continued myelination Areas of Development Prefrontal cortex is fully developed in early 20s Dopamine-producing & reacting areas become more developed More sensitivity to stress, less susceptible to alcohol

11. Stress Origins of Stress Home, school, relationships, peers, intrapersonal, etc. Number of stressful events can produce major illnesses Can lead to psychosomatic disorders Psychological, emotional, & physical interaction Ulcers, asthma, arthritis, hypertension Outcomes of Stress Biological reaction Release of hormones from the adrenal glands Rise in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, & sweating Long-term outcome Reduction in the body’s ability to deal with stress and fight off disease

12. Coping Problem-focused Coping Attempting to manage stress by directly changing the situation to make it less stressful Emotion-focused Coping Conscious regulation of emotion Social Support Assistance & comfort supplied by others Defensive Coping Unconscious use of strategies that distort or deny the true nature of a situation

13. Threats to Well-being Illegal Drugs 50% of U.S. high school seniors & 20% of 8 th graders used marijuana in the past year Reasons for use Pleasurable experiences Everyday pressures Peer pressures Thrill of doing something illegal Addictive Drugs Drugs producing a biological or psychological dependence leading to cravings Physiological dependence Psychological dependence

14. Legal Drugs Alcohol Binge drinking a “tradition” on college campuses Reasons adolescents start drinking Release inhibitions Reduce tensions & stress Family patterns & genetics play a role Tobacco Nicotine is 4 ½ X more addicting than heroin Produces psychological & physiological addiction Produces a quick dependency Produces pleasant emotional state Seeing parents & peers smoking increases chances of starting

15. Sexually Transmitted Diseases AIDS A leading cause of death among young people Transmitted through body fluids Other STDs 1 in 4 adolescents will contract an STD before graduating high school Chlamydia A bacterial disease Genital herpes Virus-like cold sores or blisters Trichomoniasis Caused by a parasite Gonorrhea & syphilis Oldest known Genital Herpes Syphilis