Females are fully developed while physical growth for male continues. There is greater acceptance of their physical appearance.
IDENTITY / SELF- CONCEPT
Identity crisis is prevalent partly because of confusion brought about by the diverse changes in their bodies.
Adolescents have firmer sense of identity though they continue to explore about the self.
EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR
Most adolescents are moody, sensitive, rebellious, stubborn, and inconsistent. They rebel against requirements and policies.
They slowly possess the ability to delay gratification. There is an increased emotional stability.
SOCIAL ATTITUDE
There is a desire to be recognized, be liked, and gain success and greatness in their endeavors.
They have increased and deeper capacity for caring for others. There is an emerging social autonomy among them.
PEER RELATIONSHIPS
They are eager to make new friends and friendship is “everything” to them.
The peer group fades in importance and is replaced by a few good and trusted friends.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Conflicts usually arise due to adolescents’ assertion of freedom and other concerns.
Conflicts with parents often decrease with age. Family is becoming influential again.
ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Slowly, adolescents begin to be interested in romantic relationships and in physical and emotional intimacy
There is the development of more serious relationships and adolescents develop skills for romantic relationships.
SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS
Though most are concerned about heterosexuality, some may be curious about other sexual orientation such as homosexuality, bisexuality and others.
They adjust to a sexually maturing body and feelings and start to establish personal values about sexual behavior.
DECISION-MAKING / INDEPENDENCE
They are prone to making poor decisions.
Immature adolescents are especially likely to choose less responsible options and may even engage in violence. •
They manifest increased independence and selfreliance.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
They develop abstract reasoning skills. When bombarded with dilemmas and stress though, they sometimes regress to concrete thinking.
There is the development of abstract, complex thinking which assists them in developing an ability to comprehend things such as how current behaviors affect long-term health status.
VALUES / MORALITY
They start to develop a sense of values and begin to be concerned about exhibiting ethical behaviors.
There is a continued interest in moral reasoning. They select role models, continue to imbibe moral values and adopt a personal value system.
REGARD FOR FUTURE / CAREER GOALS
Though beginning to mature cognitively and ethically, many of them remain to be risk takers as they feel that they are invincible. Many are still hungry for happiness and freedom and are carefree and irresponsible.
They have greater capacity for setting goals.
Adolescents become concerned for their future. There is less participation in risky activities.
Challenges in the Late Adolescence
Finishing studies
Entry to the workforce
Finding a significant role in the society
Entering responsible romantic partnership
Preparing to build one’s own family
Preparing to become a responsible parent
Significant Others
In psychology, it is any individual who has pronounced importance in a person’s life or well-being.
In sociology, it is any person or persons with a strong influence on an individual’s self-concept.
It was first used by the U.S. psychiatrist Harry Stack Sullivan in his book The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry
AFFIRMATION
It is a carefully formatted statement that should be repeated to one self and written down frequently.
These are declarations or courageous statements aimed at creating change in the person.
They are intended to help individuals in forming positive beliefs about themselves projected towards the achievement of goals.
These self-statements can also serve as an inspiration and reminder to individuals to focus on their purposes.