Adolescence: Psychological Impact of physical changes and the effect of early and late maturation

Psychological Impact of physical changes and the effect of early and late maturation

1. Psychological Impact of Physical Changes and the Effect of Early and Late Maturation

2. Physical Changes during Adolescence There are specific stages of development that both boys and girls go through when developing secondary sexual characteristics. These are the physical characteristics of males and females that are not involved in reproduction, such as voice changes, body shape, pubic hair distribution, and facial hair. During this stage, adolescents experience many physical and psychological changes that can result in confusion, anger and rebellion.

3. Although they often push parents away, they need support and understanding to survive this stage and emerge as mature adults. Learning about the most concerning psychological changes that take place during puberty can help you be better prepared for dealing with your child during this stage.

4. Physical Development Between 11 and 13 years old, many physical changes occur as teens enter early adolescence. Teens at this age start to grow body hair and gain height and weight rapidly. Breast and hip development and menstruation begin in girls, and boys experience a deepening of voice.

5. Between the ages of 14 and 18, middle adolescence begins and physical growth slows for girls. In boys, growth continues to late adolescence, which occurs between 19 and 21 years of age. While girls are fully physically developed by the beginning of late adolescence, young men will continue to gain weight, muscle mass, body hair and height. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is not uncommon for teens in early adolescence to compare themselves with peers and become sensitive and self-conscious about their bodies.

6. 6 Bodily Dissatisfaction and Low-Self Esteem During puberty, teenagers struggle with wanting to be accepted and with trying to fit in with their peers. As their body begins to change, they may feel different and become self- conscious about these changes. Female teens were more concerned with losing weight, while males were focused on increasing muscles mass. The increased regarding body image often leads to a reduced self-esteem.

7. 7 Mood Swings Teenagers are known for their raging hormones and drastic mood swings. The moods of teenager going through puberty can fluctuate between excitement, anger, anxiety and depression. Research findings show that puberty is a time of great emotional turmoil and distress for females. What can the individual who is experiencing a spell of mood swings do? Note down your feelings and thoughts in a diary Pamper yourself Express your Feelings Be aware of your feelings Be aware of your Life Situation

8. 8 Asserting Independence Adolescents experience the changes that accompany puberty, they come to the realization that they are entering adulthood. During this time, most teens feel a strong desire to begin separating themselves from their parents and asserting their individuality. Some adolescents asserts their independence by rebelling or experimenting with unhealthy behaviours .

9. 9 Sexual Awakening Adolescents begin to see the opposite sex in a different light and begin to experience sexual arousal. Participating in romantic relationships and experimenting with physical behaviours , such as kissing and even sexual encounters. Teenagers become more affected by gender roles and often develop a preference for more gender-specific activities. Some adolescents may experience shame regarding their developing body and sexual curiosity and may choose to withdraw from friends and family. Three Signs of Sexual Awakening very soon You’ve just left a sexually dissatisfying relationship Your new partner wants to explore new things with you You’ve had a long period of sexual inactivity

10. 10 Early Puberty Causes of early puberty include obesity and family genetics. Rarely, early puberty is caused by hormonal imbalances. But for the majority of children, especially girls, no cause is found. Children who start puberty early might: - be teased - for example, a group of girls might tease one in the group about her weight, or about the complexion of her skin. In those cases, teasing can lead to hurt feelings. - feel self-conscious - feeling self-conscious is when you're totally aware of yourself and how others might perceive you. If you're too focused on what others think of you and often worry you're upsetting or offending others, this might adversely affect your well-being.

11. 11 - have a poorer body image - A negative body image involves being overly focused on comparing your size, shape, or appearance to unrealistic ideals. Body image and self-esteem directly influence each other and a person's feelings, thoughts, and actions. If a youth doesn't like their body or a part of their body (poor body image) it is hard for them to feel good about their whole self (positive self-esteem). - be more likely to start exploring sexuality earlier - sexuality is about your sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people. You can find other people physically, sexually or emotionally attractive, and all those things are a part of your sexuality.

12. - seem tall for their age early on, but then stop growing before their –peers – Teens who have constitutional growth delay grow at a normal rate when they're younger, but they lag behind and don't start their pubertal development and their growth spurt until after most of their peers. People who have constitutional growth delay are often referred to as "late bloomers." - be treated by grown-ups and other children as being older than they really are –These characteristics can include ability to learn from mistakes, take accountability for actions, and appreciate the reality of the present while also planning for the future.   12

13. Late Puberty Late puberty is most commonly caused by family genetics . If you or other family members experienced late puberty, it’s more likely that your child will too. Late puberty can also be caused by lifestyle and social issues like poor nutrition, eating disorders or severe stress. Chronic illness, hormonal conditions and some genetic disorders can also cause late puberty, but these are less common. Seek advice from a health professional if you or your child have concerns. Teenagers who experience late puberty usually catch up to their peers – they just start developing later. But in the meantime, they might be self-conscious or embarrassed about not being as developed as their peers. For example, boys who start puberty late can have lower self-esteem than other boys their age. You can talk to your child about their body and feelings , and reassure them that they’ll catch up to their peers eventually. 13

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