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Table of Contents | Abstract & Objectives | page 1 | page 2 | page 3
page 4 |page 5 |page 6 | page 7 |page 8 | page 9 | page 10
page 11 | References | Websites | Test
Adolescence is the time of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is characterized by
rapid growth, development of secondary sex characteristics and cognitive and
psychosocial development. During this time the adolescent is striving to achieve
independence from parents, and associations with peers gradually begin to focus on more
intimate relationships. Typically, adolescence is divided into three phases based on age:
early (10 - 13 years), middle (14-17 years), and late (17 - 21 years). Adolescent development is multidimensional, complex and marked by periods of rapid
growth alternating with periods of remission. In the last century, the onset of physical
change has occurred at increasingly younger ages, increasing the likelihood that the
psychosocial and cognitive changes will lag behind (Neinstein, 2002). Timing of the physical changes of puberty varies as much as the number of adolescents
going through them. Children of the same age show tremendous variation in growth and
sexual development. Body image concerns are greatest in early adolescence. Teens who
develop earlier or later than 10-14 are faced with more questions of normalcy. By
middle adolescence, physical change is less rapid and dramatic and teens' focus shifts to
concerns about improving appearance. By late adolescence, many teens have dealt with
these concerns and are more at ease with themselves (Krisman-Scott, 1996). Previous: Introduction
© 2002 American Nurses
Association
Traditional View of Adolescent Growth & Development
Next: Secondary Sexual Development
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