Life Span Development II School Age and Adolescence

Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)

Lesson 16 : Physical, physiological, psychological changes during puberty

Psychological Implications

In our culture, girls typically become quite concerned about appearance and worry about others. Some girls feel better about their bodies, their relationship with peers and their abilities. Their emotional reaction to menarche are mixed, some may develop poor body images because they are bothered by the weight gains that typically accompany menarche.

Adolescents who are matured physically and sexually not only feel different about themselves but viewed and treated differently by other people. Pubertal changes may also prompt changes in family relationships, but once the pubertal transition is over they become warmer again. Parents can help adolescents adjust successfully to changes by maintaining close relationships and helping adolescents accept themselves.

The physical and physiological changes during puberty also affect the cognitive capacities, social relationships and feelings about themselves, increase aggression, alcohol and cigarette use and lying behaviours (Reifman, Barners and Hoffman, 1999).