1© 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

Psychosocial Development in Adolescence

Chapter 12

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Did You Know…

Today, more teenage girls than teenage boys are sexually experienced?

Sex education programs that encourage both abstinence and safe-sexual practices are more effective than abstinence only programs?

More than 4 out of 10 adolescent girls in the US have been pregnant at least once before age 20?

Most adolescents say they have good relationships with their parents?

The influence of peers peaks in early adolescence?

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Erikson’s Crisis of Identity versus Confusion

Struggle to become an adult with unique sense of self and role in society– Adolescence provides psychosocial

moratorium, or ‘time out’ period to explore identity

– However, seldom fully resolved in adolescence

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How Does Identity Develop?

Identity: a coherent conception of the self, made up of goals, values, ad beliefs to which the person is solidly committed

When discussing identity most refer to work of Erik Erickson

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Resolving Erikson’s Identity Crisis

Successful resolution leads to ‘fidelity’– Feeling of belongingness to friends or

family– Identification with a set of values

The danger is identity confusion– Although some degree of confusion is

normal

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Components of Identity

According to Erickson, adolescents attempt to resolve three issues:

1. Choice of occupation

2. Adoption of values

3. Development of sexual identity

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Consider the following four cases:

Olivia as considered her interests and her talents and plans to become an engineer. She has narrowed her college choices to 3 schools that offer good programs in this field.

Isabella knows exactly what she’s going to do with her life. Her mother, a union leader at a plastics factory, has arranged an apprenticeship for her. Isabella has never considered doing anything else.

Josh, on the other hand, is agonizing over his future. Should he attend a community college or go to the army? He cannot decide what he wants to do now or what he wants to do eventually.

Jayden still has no idea what he wants to do, but he isn’t worried. He figures he can get some sort of job and he will figure it out when he’s ready.

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Marcia: Identity Status

Identity Achievement Crisis leading to commitment (example: Olivia)

Foreclosure Commitment without crisis (example: Isabella)

Moratorium Crisis with no commitment yet (example: Josh)

Identity Confusion No commitment, no crisis (example: Jayden)

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Gender Differences in Identity Development

Research supports Erickson’s idea that for women identity and intimacy develop together.

Adolescent girls also tend to have lower self-esteem than adolescent boys.

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Four Stages of Ethnic Identity

For many young people in minority groups, race or ethnicity is central to identity formation.1. Diffuse: “Why do I need to learn about who was the first black woman to do this or that? I am just not interested” (Black Female)

2. Foreclosed: “I don’t go looking for my culture. I just go by what my parents say and do, and what they tell me to do. They way they are” (Mexican American male)

3. Moratorium: There are a lot of non-Japanese people around and it gets pretty confusing to decide who I am” (Asian American male)

4. Achieved: “People put me down because I am Mexican, but I don’t care anymore. I can accept myself” (Mexican American female)

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Racial/Ethnic Identity

Connectedness to one’s ethnic group Awareness of racism Embedded achievement Cultural socialization---parental practices that

teach children about racial or ethnic heritage, promote cultural customs & traditions and cultural pride

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Sexual Identity

Seeing oneself as a sexual being, recognizing one’s sexual orientation, coming to terms with sexual stirrings, and forming romantic or sexual attachments are all part of developing a sexual identity.

Technology, such as the internet, has changed sexual attitudes and behaviors.

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What is Sexual Orientation?

Focus of consistent sexual, romantic, and affectionate interest– Homosexual – persons of same sex– Heterosexual – persons of opposite sex– Bisexual – persons of both sexes

– Isolated experiences do not determine orientation

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Biological Views of Sexual Orientation

Conclude orientation is, at least in part, genetic – moderately heritable– 3 stretches of DNA on chromosomes 7, 8, &

10 appear to be involved

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Homosexual or Bisexual Identity

Gay, lesbian, or bisexual adolescents often feel isolated in a hostile environment.– There is no association between homosexual

orientation and emotional or social problems

…apart from those caused by societal treatment of homosexuals.

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Sexual Behavior

According to surveys, 77% of young people in the US have had sex by age 20.

African Americans and Latinos are tend to begin sexual activity earlier than white youth.

Although teenage boys have been thought to be more sexually experienced than girls, trends are shifting.– According to a 2002 study, 49% of boys and 53% of girls

ages 15 to 19 reported having had sexual intercourse.

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Sexual Behavior

Average age at first intercourse– Females: 17 years– Males: 16 years

Top reasons for NOT having sex:– Religion or morals– Not wanting to get (or get a girl) pregnant

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Factors Associated with Early Sex

Early puberty Poverty Poor school performance History of sexual abuse Neglect Cultural or family patterns Perception of peer norms

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Use of Contraceptives

Who uses contraception during first intercourse?

– 83% of girls and 91% of boys – The older a girl is at her first intercourse, the greater the

likelihood she will use protection– Only 63% of sexually active high school students reported

having used condoms the last time they had intercourse

Best safeguard is condoms– Protection against STDs and pregnancy

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Where do Teens get Information about Sex?

FriendsParentsSex education at school

Abstinence only debates

Should abstinence only be promoted?Media

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What Type of Sex Education Works?

WorksPrograms that encourage abstinence AND discuss STD prevention and safe-sex practices

Delay initiation & increases contraception use

Does Not Work Abstinence Only/Virginity Pledges

Do not delay initiation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdM5sDXPu9w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_KL92oBWcQ

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STDs and Pregnancy: Risks of Adolescent Sex

Teens at highest risk :– Younger – Multiple partners– Not regularly using contraception– Misinformed about contraception

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Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevalence

About 1 in 4 new cases in the U.S. occurs among 15-19 year olds

Prevalence in teens due to:– Early sexual activity– Failure to use condoms or use them correctly– Tendency for girls to have older partners

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Most Prevalent STDs

HPVTrichomoniasisGenital Herpes SimplexChlamydia and gonorrhea (both

curable)

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Teens and HIV

Of 4.1 million new infections, about half are in young people 15-24 years old.

In the U.S., 1 in 4 people living with HIV were infected in their teenage years

Early detection important

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Teenage Pregnancy Trends

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Traits of Teen Mothers

Many are sexually inexperienced Many grew up without a father Likely as children to have been abused

and/or exposed to parental divorce Likely exposed to substance abuse Likely exposed to family member with

mental illness or criminal behavior

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Teenage Parents

Teen mothers at risk for:– Dropping out of school or being poorly

educated– Financial hardship– Additional pregnancies

Teenage fathers– Limited financial resources, poor academic

performance and high dropout rates

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Children of Teenage Mothers

At increased risk for:– Prematurity and low birthweight– Fetal, neonatal or infant death– Health and academic problems– Abuse and neglect– Developmental disabilities

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Preventing Teenage Pregnancy

Why are U.S. rates so high?Reduced stigma on unwed motherhood

Media glorification of sex

Lack of clear message about sex and parenthood

Childhood sexual abuse

Failure of parents to communicate with children

Less contraceptive use

Requires multifaceted solution

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Is Adolescent Rebellion a Myth?

Stereotype of adolescent rebellion:– A time of emotional turmoil– Conflict within the family– Alienation from adult society– Reckless behavior– Rejection of adult values

Only 1 in 5 teens fits this pattern

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Adolescent Use of Time

US teens have a great deal of discretionary time. Time with family members declines dramatically. More time is spent alone and with opposite sex. Weekend partying is common for older teens. African-American teens spend more time with

family than white teens.

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Adolescents and Family Conflict

Individuation—adolescent’s struggle for autonomy and personal identity

Most arguments over day-to-day matters:– Chores– School work– Dress– Money – Curfew– Dating, friends

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Factors That Affect Adolescent Family Conflict

Parenting styleFamily structureMothers’ employmentEconomic stress

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Adolescents and Siblings

Teens are less close to siblings than to parents or peers– Less influenced by their siblings than when

younger– Become more distant from siblings throughout

adolescence– Sibling relations tend to reflect parents’

marital relationship and parent-child relations

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Adolescents Crowds

Crowds serve several purposes:– Help establish teen identity– Reinforce alliances– Makes it easier to make

friendships within the same group

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Adolescent Cliques

Clique - A structured group of friends Become more common in adolescence Membership types:

� Member – ties are to one group

� Liaison- ties to more than one group

� Isolate – not connected to any group

Cliques can be harsh to outsiders

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Adolescent Friendships

More important than in any other life period More reciprocal and stable than in childhood

Increased intimacy

Adolescents choose friends similar in:– Gender– Race/ethnicity– Academic attitude– Risky or problem behavior

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AdolescentRomantic Relationships

Contribute to development of intimacy and identity

Include risk of STDs and pregnancy Affects quality of relationship with parents and

peers

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Two Phases of Teen Romantic Relationships

1. Mixed groups or group dates

2. One-on-one relationships involving intimacy

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Becoming a Delinquent

An interaction between influences: Parental

– Authoritative parenting may protect against delinquency

– Shaping of prosocial or antisocial behavior Peers

– Similar in achievement and social tendencies Community

– Collective efficacy – how do neighbors support each other?

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Preventing Delinquency: Intervention Programs

Offer family assistance and support Help with interactions between home & school Create supportive parent networks Offer follow-up services & after-school

activities Prevent gang recruitment Offer adult-guided support groups

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