The adolescent and young adult years (between the ages of 10 and 25) are a particularly fast time of change. The years of pubertal development typically include:
• a growth spurt,
• maturing of the reproductive organs,
• development of secondary gender characteristics,
• menstruation in girls.
When this begins and ends for individuals can vary widely. Generally, evidence suggests a peak age of puberty in the UK of around 12-13 for girls, and 13-14 for boys (Patton and Viner, 2007). Muscle strength continues to develop in young men into their 20s (Haff and Triplett, 2016).
Adolescent Brain Development
The language used to describe adolescent behaviour often has negative connotations: they take risks, are awkward, impulsive, and self-centred. This language blames adolescents for a natural stage of child development.
Whilst the body is physically going through visible change, the adolescent brain goes through significant change too, and this continues into early adulthood. It is important that these changes are understood so that adolescents can be supported, feel heard and be open to discussing feelings. This stage of development does carry risk, but it also opens many opportunities to help shape the success of an adolescent’s future.
Understanding of these brain changes has increased through scientific research. It is now understood that the brain matures from back to front. In the early years of life there is rapid development (3-5 years) and by age nine the structure and building blocks are in place. But the last part to mature is the prefrontal lobe. This happens during adolescence through to around age 25.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision making, planning, impulse control, mood regulation, planning ahead, understanding consequences and abstract thinking. The prefrontal lobe exists but it is not mature until adulthood so an adolescent can rationalise appropriate behaviour when they are calm but when experiencing emotional distress the impulsive part of the brain, which is more developed, will take over. This can result in negative consequences relating to social relationships, risk of substance use and sometimes even suicide. But at the same time, the adolescent brain is very agile and has the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new skills that will set an adolescent up for a much more resilient adulthood.
RESOURCES
Adolescent Brain Development Sarah-Jayne Blakemore: The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain
TED Talk The Adolescent Brain: A Thriving Look – YouTube
Your amazing brain – MindMate
What really goes on in teens brains – BBC
Understanding Adolescent Development -Attachment
Attachment refers to a child or adolescent’s relationship with their primary caregiver. This relationship has a significant impact on behaviour, resilience, and the ability to form relationships with others.
Attachment is considered significant for work with babies and young children however research has demonstrated that attachment security in adolescence has precisely the same effect on development as it does in early childhood. A secure base supports adolescents to explore and to develop thinking, social and emotional skills (Moretti and Peled, 2004).
There are four types of attachment style:
What does attachment mean for adolescents?
Practitioners should be aware that the behaviour, relationships, and resilience of adolescents is informed by four key components that support feelings of security:
