Adolescent Development: Challenges and Changes in Modern Society

Screen Time

Increased screen use over face-to-face interactions.

Digital Media Impact

Influences development and social behaviors negatively.

Anxiety Disorders

Rising prevalence among adolescents today.

Presence in Moment

Decreasing ability to be present socially.

Phones as Escape

Used to avoid discomfort and anxiety.

Adolescent Traits

Characterized as lazy, impulsive, and tech-savvy.

Digital Addiction

Compulsive use of digital devices among teens.

Stereotype Internalization

Teens apply stereotypes to their self-esteem.

Body Language

Strongly influences social interactions and perceptions.

Uncertainty in Youth

Shapes understanding of self and world.

Economic Anxiety

Teens anticipate a bleak economic future.

Information Overload

Excessive information leading to confusion and anxiety.

Echo Chambers

Social media creates isolated viewpoints and beliefs.

Helicopter Parenting

Overinvolved parents hinder children's resilience development.

Coping Skills Prediction

Early coping strategies predict future emotional regulation.

Media Usage and Mental Health

Increased media use correlates with mental health issues.

Sleep Reduction

Less sleep linked to higher anxiety and depression.

Social Media Effects

Linked to rising mental health disorders in teens.

Comparison to Peers

Increases anxiety and decreases happiness in children.

Emerging Adulthood

New phase of development from ages 20-25.

Generativity

Fulfilling community roles and personal purpose.

Sleep Disturbances

Linked to anxiety and depression in youth.

Bidirectional Sleep-Mental Health Link

Poor sleep worsens mental health symptoms.

Sleep Epidemic

Severe lack of sleep among Canadian teens.

Sleep Recommendations

Adolescents need 8-10 hours of sleep nightly.

Average Teen Sleep

Teens average 6.5-7.5 hours of sleep.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Societal Pressure

Expectations that prioritize productivity over rest.

Dopaminergic System

Sensitive to validation during adolescence.

Adolescent Advocacy

Young activists sacrifice youth for social change.

Age of Consent

Legal age to agree to sexual activity.

Sexual Assault Definition

Sexual activity without consent is considered assault.

Consent Age in Canada

16 years old can consent, with exceptions.

Authority Position Exception

Consent invalid if authority figure involved.

Mature Minor Definition

Client understands treatment, typically ages 14-17.

Plastic Surgery Age

Typically allowed at age 18 in Canada.

Common Youth Surgeries

Breast augmentation and rhinoplasty are prevalent.

Voter Turnout Decline

Decrease in 18-24 age group from 2015-2019.

Driving Age in Alberta

14-year-olds can drive with parental consent.

Military Service Age

18 years old or 17 with parental consent.

Adolescent Transition

Marked by biological, psychological, social, and economic changes.

Impulse Control Development

Improved as frontal cortex matures into mid-20s.

Risk Sensitivity

Adolescents are more sensitive to risk and reward.

Cognitive Understanding

Mature minors can understand treatment implications.

Summer Work Consent

Parental consent required for ages 13-14 in Alberta.

Adolescent Independence

Increased desire for autonomy from parents.

Abstract Thinking

Adolescents begin to think hypothetically and abstractly.

Biological onset

Onset of puberty marks beginning of adolescence.

Biological end

Becoming capable of sexual reproduction signifies end.

Emotional onset

Beginning of detachment from parents starts emotional adolescence.

Emotional end

Attainment of separate identity concludes emotional phase.

Cognitive onset

Emergence of advanced reasoning abilities initiates cognitive adolescence.

Cognitive end

Consolidation of reasoning abilities marks cognitive completion.

Interpersonal onset

Shift from parental to peer relations starts interpersonal phase.

Interpersonal end

Development of intimacy with peers signifies interpersonal maturity.

Social onset

Training for adult roles begins social adolescence.

Social end

Full attainment of adult status concludes social phase.

Educational onset

Entrance into junior high school marks educational start.

Educational end

Completion of formal schooling signifies educational conclusion.

Legal onset

Attainment of juvenile status (ages 12-17 in Canada) begins.

Legal end

Attainment of majority status concludes legal adolescence.

Chronological onset

Designated age of adolescence marks chronological beginning.

Chronological end

Designated age of adulthood signifies chronological end.

Cultural onset

Entrance into training for ceremonial rites begins cultural phase.

Cultural end

Completion of ceremonial rite of passage concludes cultural phase.

Early adolescence

Ages 10-13, typically middle school years.

Middle adolescence

Ages 14-17, typically high school years.

Late adolescence

Ages 18-21, typically college years.

Emerging adulthood

Ages 18-25, transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Biological transitions

Changes in appearance and ability to conceive children.

Cognitive transitions

Improved thinking about hypothetical and abstract concepts.

Social transitions

Transition into new societal roles varies by culture.

HPA axis

Regulates stress response through cortisol and norepinephrine.

DTI

Imaging technique assessing myelin tracks in the brain.

Environmental context

Psychological impact of changes shaped by surroundings.

Bioecological approach

Environmental levels impact individual development simultaneously.

Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory

Development influenced by multiple environmental systems.

Microsystem

Immediate environment directly influences individual development.

Mesosystem

Interactions between different contexts affect individual behavior.

Exosystem

Indirect contact with situations impacting individual experiences.

Macrosystem

Cultural values and societal norms of a time.

Chronosystem

Changes over time affecting individual development contexts.

Identity

Adolescents explore and define their self-concept.

Autonomy

Development of independence and self-governance in adolescence.

Intimacy

Formation of close relationships during adolescent years.

Sexuality

Exploration of sexual identity and relationships in adolescence.

Achievement

Pursuit of goals and success during adolescent development.

Peer groups

Significant influence on adolescent behavior and identity.

Family dynamics

Continuous renegotiation of roles within family structures.

School context

Educational settings prepare adolescents for adulthood.

Risk-taking behavior

Adolescents often engage in actions contrary to norms.

Social pressure

Adolescents are highly influenced by peer expectations.

Neuroimaging studies

Research shows brain engagement in identity development.

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex

Brain area involved in value-based decision making.

Self-concept

How individuals perceive and categorize themselves.

Developmental task

Key objectives to achieve during a developmental stage.

Continuum of identity

Identity traits exist on a spectrum, not fixed.

Dual-systems model

Conceptualizes behavior as neural circuit competition.

Autonomy

Independence from caregivers; personal moral development.

Parental autonomy support

Encouragement from parents fostering adolescent independence.