Psychosocial Development in Adolescence Chapter 12 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 1 Guideposts for Study How do adolescents form an identity, and what roles do gender and ethnicity play? What determines sexual orientation, what sexual practices are common among adolescents, and what leads some to engage in risky sexual behavior? How do adolescents relate to parents, siblings, and peers? What are the root causes of antisocial behavior and juvenile delinquency, and what can be done to reduce these risks of adolescence? © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 2 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 3 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 4 Components of Identity Adolescents attempt to resolve three issues: 1. Choice of occupation 2. Adoption of values 3. Development of sexual identity © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 5 Marcia: Identity Status Identity Achievement Crisis leading to commitment Foreclosure Commitment without crisis Moratorium Crisis with no commitment yet Identity Confusion No commitment, no crisis © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 6 Identity Formation: Gender Differences Role of relationships – – Do females develop a sense of self through forming relationships? OR Is identity a struggle for independence and connectedness, regardless of gender? Self-esteem Do girls have lower self-esteem than boys? © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 7 Four Stages of Ethnic Identity For many young people in minority groups, race or ethnicity is central to identity formation. 1. Diffuse 2. Foreclosed 3. Moratorium 4. Achieved © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 8 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 9 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 10 Biological Views of Sexual Orientation Conclude orientation is, at least in part, genetic – moderately heritable – – – – Size of hypothalamus Pheromone studies Gender-atypical behavior in childhood Differences in sexual arousal © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 11 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. Sexual identity becomes more complex and follows a less-defined timetable. © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 12 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 13 Factors Associated with Early Sex Early puberty Poverty Poor school performance History of sexual abuse Neglect Cultural or family patterns Perception of peer norms © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 14 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 Best safeguard is condoms – Protection against STDs and pregnancy © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 15 Where do Teens get Information about Sex? Friends Parents Sex education at school Abstinence only debates Media © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 16 What Type of Sex Education Works? Works Programs 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 17 STDs and Pregnancy: Risks of Adolescent Sex Teens at highest risk : – – – – Younger Multiple partners Not regularly using contraception Misinformed about contraception © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 18 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 19 Most Prevalent STDs HPV Trichomoniasis Genital Herpes Simplex Chlamydia and gonorrhea (both curable) © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 20 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 21 Teenage Pregnancy Trends © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 22 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 23 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 24 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 25 Preventing Teenage Pregnancy What 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 26 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 27 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. © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 28 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 29 Factors That Affect Adolescent Family Conflict Parenting style Family structure Mothers’ employment Economic stress © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 30 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 31 Adolescents Crowds Crowds serve several purposes: – – – Help establish teen identity Reinforce alliances Makes it easier to make friendships within the same group © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 32 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 33 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 34 Adolescent Romantic Relationships Contribute to development of intimacy and identity Include risk of STDs and pregnancy Affects quality of relationship with parents and peers © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 35 Two Phases of Teen Romantic Relationships 1. Mixed groups or group dates 2. One-on-one relationships involving intimacy © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 36 Box 12.1 Youth Violence Epidemic Possible influences: – – – – – – Immature adolescent brain Ready access to guns in a culture that “romanticizes gunplay” Presence of gangs at school Childhood home environment Living in unstable neighborhoods Witnessing or being victims of neighborhood violence © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 37 Antisocial behavior Tends to run in families May have genetic base May include neurobiological deficits Early Onset—beginning by age 11 Late onset—after puberty © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 38 Becoming a Delinquent An interaction between influences: Parental – – Peers – Authoritative parenting may protect against delinquency Shaping of prosocial or antisocial behavior Similar in achievement and social tendencies Community – Collective efficacy – how do neighbors support each other? © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 39 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 © 2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc 40