SEDICI May. 2014 | Page 11

STAGES:

Psychological &

Emotional Traits

EARLY ADOLESCENCE

Birth of intimacy.

Increased desire for privacy. Intense self-focus. (Worrying about what others think about them).Frequent mood swings with changes in activities and contexts.

MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE

Increase in responsible behaviors.

Increased ability to empathize with others. Begins better use of speech to express themselves; less acting out of feelings

LATE ADOLESCENCE

Greater emotional stability.

Begin to realize their mortality and begin to worry about the future.

STAGES

Relationship to

Parents and

Other Adults

EARLY ADOLESCENCE

Greater focus on peer friendships as youth develops an identity outside of the role of a child in a family. Often rebuffs physical affection (but still needs it).Increased interest in making own decisions.

MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE

Complains that parents interfere with their independence. Particularly important to achieve independence from their parents.

LATE ADOLESCENCE

Complains that parents interfere with their independence.

Particularly important to achieve independence from their parents.

STAGES Peer

Relationships

EARLY ADOLESCENCE

Changes due to puberty and peer reactions commonly alter peer relationships.Friendships still begin with perceived commonalities, but increasingly involve sharing of values and personal confidences.

MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE

Strong emphasis on their peer group and the need for peer approval uses much of the teen's energy.

Middle adolescents often confide more in each than with their parents.

LATE ADOLESCENCE

Peer group less influential. It is replaced by a few good friends.

One on one dating becomes more important, and late adolescents may develop a more intimate relationship with someone

“Maturity is when your world opens up and you realize that you are not the center of it.”

― M.J. Croan