Growth and development - Adolescent: Nursing

Adolescence, also known as the teenage years, starts at the beginning of puberty and lasts approximately until 18 to 20 years of age. This period represents the transition from childhood to adulthood and, as such, it brings many important physical, mental and psychosocial changes. Developmental psychologists involved in studying development during the adolescent period include Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, and Lawrence Kohlberg.

Alright, there are a couple terms that we need to review first, including growth and development. Growth refers to physical changes in height, weight, and the appearance of the body; whereas development refers to the acquisition of complex motor, cognitive, and social skills.

Alright, now the physical changes that occur during adolescence are related to the beginning of puberty, which is a period of rapid growth and sexual development. Puberty typically starts somewhere between 8 and 14 years of age, and tends to start earlier in those assigned female at birth than in those assigned male at birth. Puberty-related changes are driven by the increase in sex hormone level, which are mostly estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

For those assigned female at birth, breast development is usually the first noticeable sign of puberty, and it is followed by the first menstrual cycle, or menarche, which typically occurs around 2 and a half years from the onset of puberty. Widening of the hips also occurs.

In those assigned male at birth, puberty begins with an increase in testicular size, then the penis and pubic hair grow, the voice begins to deepen, and around 2 years later, sperm production begins.

Other pubertal changes include the growth of pubic and underarm hair in both sexes, These hormone-driven changes are accompanied by growth spurts that transform children into physically mature teens as their bodies increase in height and weight.

Alright, now let’s switch gears and look at the motor, cognitive, psychosocial, and moral development during adolescence. Starting with motor development, it is usually during early adolescence that teenagers begin to develop endurance. In addition, they have more muscle mass, which enables them to perform well in various athletic activities.