Adolescence

After completing this section of the chapter, you should be able to meet the following objectives:

♦ Define what is meant by the period known as adolescence

♦ Characterize the physical and psychosocial changes that
occur during adolescence

♦ Cite the developmental tasks that adolescents need to
fulfill

♦ Describe common concerns of parents regarding their
adolescent child

♦ Discuss how the changes that occur during adolescence
can influence the health care needs of the adolescent

Adolescence is a transitional period between child­hood and adulthood. Significant physical, social, psycho­logical, and cognitive changes occur during adolescence. The changes of adolescence do not occur on a strict time­line; instead, they occur at different times according to a unique internal calendar. For definition's sake, adoles­cence is considered to begin with the development of sec­ondary sex characteristics, around 11 or 12 years of age, and to end with the completion of somatic growth from approximately 18 to 20 years of age. Girls usually begin and end adolescence earlier than boys. The adolescent pe­riod is conveniently referred to as the teenaged years, from 13 through 19 years of age.

Several "tasks" that adolescents need to fulfill have been identified. These tasks include achieving indepen­dence from parents, adopting peer codes and making per­sonal lifestyle choices, forming or revising individual body image and coming to terms with one's body image if it is not "perfect," and establishing sexual, ego, vocational, and moral identities.