Adolescence remains one of the most psychologically and physically challenging and turbulent times in the life of people. It is often described as the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood, occurring between 13 and 19 years of age. However, the psychological and physical changes occurring during adolescence usually begin much earlier, in the pre-teenage years, between 9 and 12. Besides, the changes exacerbate concerns about social acceptance and how teenagers are perceived among peers. Hence, adolescence is both a time of discovery and disorientation. The article by ChiriĹŁescu (2015) has identified the needs, desires, and requirements that should be met for healthy adolescent development. It has also offered some practical advice on how adolescent could navigate their self-identification by writing down their defect and qualities and analyzing them.
While the stage might seem a turbulent one, the article has shown that it is also a period of great potential as boys and girls deeply engage with their surrounding world. Biologically, adolescence is characterized by the beginning of puberty and the end of bodily growth. with changes in the reproductive organs and other features, such as muscle mass, weight, and height, and a period for significant changes in the development and maturation of the brain (Vijayakumar et al., 2018). Cognitively, it is defined by developing abstract thinking, logical reasoning, and knowledge. Socially, it is a time of preparation for culturally acceptable adult roles, for instance, a romantic partner or a worker. Adolescence is such a dramatic stage that is described using statements, for example, “a normative psychosis”, “normal to be abnormal”, an “identity crisis”, and so forth (Rapee et al., 2019). Hence, the article provides essential guidance to helping adolescents manage their self-identification process and maintain mental health.
References
ChiriĹŁescu, I. M. (2015). Adolescent development: Needs, desires, requirements. International Conference of Scientific Paper AFASES 2015, 171-174. Web.
Rapee, R. M., Oar, E. L., Johnco, C. J., Forbes, M. K., Fardouly, J., Magson, N. R., & Richardson, C. E. (2019). Adolescent development and risk for the onset of social-emotional disorders: A review and conceptual model. Behaviour Research And Therapy, 123, 103501.
Vijayakumar, N., de Macks, Z. O., Shirtcliff, E. A., & Pfeifer, J. H. (2018). Puberty and the human brain: Insights into adolescent development. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 92, 417-436.