Adolescence is a phase characterized by substantial growth and maturation, commencing with puberty and concluding at 18. Consider the disparities between an individual’s characteristics at 12 and their attributes at 18. The transition period between these two stages encompasses significant transformation across various aspects of development, including physical and cognitive dimensions. Also, this stage is characterized by significant changes in multiple aspects of life, including health.
Physical Changes
Puberty is the phase during which an individual undergoes sexual maturation. This implies that an individual, regardless of gender, has physiological transformations that enable them to engage in sexual reproduction. Although puberty is commonly associated with adolescence, internal transformations commence at an earlier stage, typically around the age of 8 for females and 11 for boys (Guzman, 2007). Hormones, specialized molecules secreted by glands in our bodies, regulate our body’s development in specific ways. Puberty is the stage during which hormones initiate the growth of reproductive organs. In the case of females, this encompasses the maturation of the ovaries and the fallopian tube. In males, hormones indicate the maturation of gonads and other organs associated with semen production.
Although numerous pubertal changes occur internally, external signs indicate the beginning of sexual maturity. Sexual maturity in females is characterized by the onset of menarche, which refers to the first menstrual cycle. This typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 15. In boys, sexual maturity is characterized by the occurrence of “spermarche,” which refers to the generation of viable sperm and the first ejaculation (Guzman, 2007). This typically occurs between the ages of 11 and 16. In males, the occurrence of spermarche is frequently indicated by nocturnal discharges, sometimes referred to as “wet dreams.”
Alongside sexual maturation, adolescents also undergo physical changes in various ways. First, they experience the maturation of secondary sex characteristics. Secondary sex characteristics refer to traits associated with, but not directly causally linked to, the reproduction process. For example, it has been seen that girls begin to exhibit “breast budding,” or the development of breasts, as early as the age of 8 (Guzman, 2007). Hair regrowth commences in the underarm and pubic regions as well. Conversely, boys begin to see growth in the testicular area as early as 11 years old, and they also begin to acquire face, underarms, and pubic hair.
Second, they experience growth in a spurt. Throughout puberty, hormones stimulate the body to accelerate its growth rate. This accelerated expansion is referred to as “the growth spurt.” It is worth noting that the growth spurt typically commences at approximately 11 years of age for girls and 13 years for boys (Guzman, 2007). During this period, girls tend to experience a more significant rise in height than boys, although boys frequently catch up and grow taller. At the highest point of this growth spurt, boys can achieve a remarkable height increase of 4 inches within a year, while girls can grow by 3.5 inches each year.
Third, their body’s proportions begin to change. Before the onset of puberty, the anatomical structures of females and males exhibit notable similarities. However, puberty is characterized by the growth and redistribution of muscle and fat tissue, resulting in more mature appearances in both girls and boys. Men and females have an observed rise in fat and muscle growth (Guzman, 2007). Males exhibit a more rapid increase in muscle tissue, while females demonstrate a more rapid increase in fat tissue. In females, adipose tissue migrates from the central region to the upper and lower bodies, resulting in a more voluptuous physical appearance. When guys reach the end of puberty, their muscle mass is approximately 1.5 times greater than that of girls. The muscle-to-fat ratio observed in boys after puberty is 3:1, whereas, in girls, it is 5:4. Lastly, they experience an increase in strength and endurance, primarily attributed to the augmentation of muscular mass.
Health and Cognitive Changes
According to Sanders (2013), three primary domains of cognitive growth manifest during adolescence. At first, adolescents acquire more sophisticated cognitive abilities, such as examining a comprehensive array of potential outcomes inherent in a given scenario, engaging in hypothetical thinking (when facts are contradictory), and employing a logical thought process. Second, adolescents acquire the capacity to engage in abstract thinking. During adolescence, individuals transition from being concrete thinkers who engage in thinking about things they have a direct touch with or know about to abstract thinkers who can envision things that are not directly observed or experienced. This enables adolescents to develop the ability to experience love, engage in contemplation of spirituality, and actively participate in increasingly sophisticated mathematical concepts. Adolescents with concrete thinking tend to prioritize examining tangible objects when engaging in problem-solving activities. Consequently, they may encounter challenges or experience dissatisfaction when transitioning to high school. Clinicians can assist parents in identifying this issue, facilitating teenagers’ adaptation to the educational speed.
Adolescents may encounter a personal story due to their increased capacity for abstract thinking. The personal story is predicated upon the notion that if the hypothetical audience, consisting of peers, observes and contemplates the adolescent, it implies that the adolescent possesses unique qualities or distinctions (Sanders, 2013). Adolescent egocentrism has long been believed to play a role in the personal belief of invincibility, such as the belief that other adolescents will become pregnant or contract sexually transmitted viruses, as well as in engaging in risky activity.
Several studies have shown that teens and young adults think some places are more dangerous than adults. However, even though teens are aware of these risks, they still often do unsafe things. Also, neuroimaging studies show that teens may feel more emotionally satisfied when doing these things, making them more likely to keep doing them even though they know the risks (Sanders, 2013). Additionally, teens who think in concrete terms might find it hard to understand the results of their actions, like not taking their medications as prescribed or not realizing the link between unhealthy habits like smoking or overeating and their results, and they might not be ready to reduce risks, like having condoms or not riding with drunk drivers. On the other hand, teens who feel like their personal fable of invincibility is being questioned may show signs of stress, sadness, or other psychosomatic problems.
Lastly, when teens reach puberty, formal operational thinking starts to form. This lets them do meta-cognition, which means thinking about how they think. Because of this skill, they can think about their feelings and how other people see them (Sanders, 2013). With all of these mental changes happening at the same time as physical and emotional changes during puberty, teens often think that other people are always thinking about them and their feelings, a phenomenon called the “imaginary audience.”
The notion of an imaginary audience can impede adolescents’ inclination to pursue clinical care and access resources. For example, adolescents who are confronted with chronic illnesses may choose to hide or negate their ailments due to apprehension that their classmates, who are considered the hypothetical audience, may become aware of their health problems (Sanders, 2013). Alternatively, they may choose to demonstrate to this perceived audience that their condition is not genuine. It is imperative to recognize that, at the adolescent level, this audience experiences a profound sense of authenticity. As a doctor, demonstrating empathy and comprehension toward adolescents’ concerns might facilitate identifying effective strategies to meet their health and social requirements.
Conclusion
Adolescence is a period of significant physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that bring about transformation. Commencing from the initiation of puberty and persisting until the age of 18, individuals experience a notable transformation. Puberty triggers sexual maturation, which is characterized by the development of secondary sex traits and periods of rapid growth. Simultaneously, cognitive capacities progress, facilitating the development of abstract reasoning and meta-cognitive processes. Nevertheless, this era also presents difficulties, such as engaging in risky activities driven by self-centeredness and a sense of invulnerability. Comprehending these intricacies is imperative in order to deliver efficacious assistance and healthcare that is customized to the distinct requirements of adolescents.
References
Guzman, M. R. (2007). Understanding the physical changes of puberty. University of Nebraska Lincoln. https://cookman.instructure.com/courses/16954/files/2747528?module_item_id=708376
Sanders, R. A. (2013). Adolescent psychosocial, social, and cognitive development. Pediatrics in Review, 34(8), 354-8.https://renaissance.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/Adolescent%20Psychosocial%20Cog%20Development.pdf
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