Psychosocial Developmental Phases of Adolescence
• Early Adolescence - those aged 10-13 years old
STI WEST NEGROS UNIVERSITY
Senior High School
Core1012 (Personal Development)
Adolescence Stages
Definition of Adolescence
• It is the progression from the appearance of the
secondary sex characteristics to sexual and
reproductive maturity, the development of
• mental processes and adult identity, and the
transitions from total socio-economic
dependence to relative independence
• Physical growth is accompanied in sexual
maturation, often leading to intimate
relationships (WHO, 2009)
Definition of Puberty
• A defined period of time during which
adolescents experience biological changes
• A period of time that involves a predictable
sequence of hormonal and physical changes,
including both sexual maturation and physical
growth
• Rapid Physical Maturation
Hormones
A powerful chemical substance secreted by the
endocrine glands.
Androgens – Male Sex hormones
Estrogens – Female Sex hormones
Testosterone – is an androgen that plays an important
role in male pubertal development, it is associated with
the of physical changes in boys (External Genitals,
Height, Voice Changes).
Estradiol – is an estrogen that plays an important role in
female pubertal development (Breast enlargement,
uterine development, and skeletal changes).
- characterized by emerging physical changes
brought by the onset of puberty stage. There is
a struggle of self – identity.
• Middle Adolescence - those aged 14-16 years
old
- characterized by self-improvement, and the
clash between high expectations for self and
poor self – concept; a time where adolescents
put effort to make new friends.
• Late Adolescence - those aged 17-19 years old
- characterized by a higher level of concern for
the future and thoughts about one’s role in life.
Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Process
Adolescents are motivated to understand their world
because doing so is biologically adaptive and can
actively construct their own cognitive worlds.
Adolescents also organize their experiences by
separating important ideas from less important ones
and connecting one idea to another.
Adolescents also adapt their own thinking to include
new ideas since the additional information furthers
their understanding.
Schemas – is a mental concept framework hat is useful
in organizing and interpreting information thru two
processes, the Assimilation (Self- process) and the
Accommodation (Helping hand process).
Another of process of Piaget is the Equilibration
(Equilibrium), it is a shift in thought from one state to
another.
Self – Esteem and Self – Concept
Self – Esteem – Self – Image or Self – Worth, it is a
global evaluative dimension of the self.
Self-Concept – refers to domain-specific evaluations of
the self. Adolescence make self-evaluation on many
domains such as Academic, Athletic, Physical etc.
 Stages of Development
Age Early Middle Late
Age Early Middle Late
(Years) Adolescence Adolescence Adolescence
(Years) Adolescence Adolescence Adolescence

Growth Secondary Secondary sexual Physically Peer Seeks Needs Peer group
Group affiliation to identification recedes in
sexual characteristics mature
counter to affirm self- favor of
characteristics advance
instability image individual
appear
Growth slows friendships
Peer group
down
defines
Growth approximately
behavioral
accelerates 95% of adult
code
and reaches a stature attained
peak Self- Preoccupation Forms stable
Sexuality
exploration with romantic relationships
and fantasy
evaluation Mutuality and
Testing ability reciprocity
Age Early Middle Late to attract
opposite sex Plans for
(Years) Adolescence Adolescence Adolescence
future
Cognition Concrete Thinking more Established
thinking abstract; abstract
capable of thinking
Existential long-range
orientation thinking Future
oriented The Challenges in Middle and Late Adolescence
Long-range Reverts to
implications of concrete Perceives a
actions long-range
Developmental Tasks for Emerging Adults
thinking when
stressed options
• Shifts in relationship with parents from
dependency and subordination to one that
reflects the adolescents’ increasing maturity
and responsibilities in the family and the
Age Early Middle Late community
(Years) Adolescence Adolescence Adolescenc
e • The exploration of new role

Psychologic Preoccupied Reestablishe Intellectual • The experience of intimate partnerships

al with : s body and
(Family) image functional • Identify formation at both the social and
Rapid identity personal levels
physical Preoccupati established
growth on with Transpositi • Planning one’s future and taking the necessary
fantasy and on of child- steps to pursue those plans
Body image idealism parent
relationship • Acquiring the range of skills and values needed
Disrupted Sense of to adult- to make a successful transition into adulthood
change omnipotence adult
relationship • The management of different demanding roles
Defining Conflicts s
boundaries of over control • Identifying personal strengths and weaknesses
independenc and refining skills to coordinate and succeed in
e/ these roles
dependence
 • Finding meaning and purpose in the roles
acquired
• Assessing and making necessary life changes
and coping with these changes
Definition of Stress
• A condition wherein internal bodily status
(homeostasis) is disrupted by a number of
possible factors
• Stress could be dangerous for it brings
anatomical, psychological, physical and
emotional reactions
• A response to something challenging in the
environment
Theories on the Nature of Stress (Walter Cannon)
Fight-or-Flight Theory - when we sense a threat
towards us, our body will automatically decide whether
we fight until death or escape desperately from
death/defeat.
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - this involves
three stages: (Hans Selye)
Hans Selye (1907 – 1982) – Founder of Stress Theory
The Relationship between stress and disease is now well
established, but was not always recognized.
 Alarm Stage – A distress signal is sent to a part
of the brain called the hypothalamus. The
hypothalamus enables the release of hormones
called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids trigger
the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which is a
stress hormone. The adrenaline gives a person a
boost of energy. Their heart rate increases and
their blood pressure rises. Meanwhile blood
sugar levels also go up.
 Resistance Stage – The body tries to counteract
the physiological changes that happened during
the alarm reaction stage.
 Exhaustion Stage- the body goes into the final
stage of GAS, the body has depleted its energy
resources by continually trying but failing to
recover from the initial alarm reaction stage.
Stress and Illness
 Burnout Syndrome - a syndrome that depresses
mental and physical functioning and is usually
the result of chronic work-related stress.
 Traumatic Stress - this kind of stress occurs
after the individual experienced/witnessed an
accident or any tragic incident
 Acute Stress Disorder - occurs during the first
month after the individual experienced a
traumatic event.
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - advance stage
of acute stress disorder.
Stress and Illness
 Psychosomatic illness - a condition where the
individual is really sick but the physicians failed
to find the cause of such abnormal occurrence
 Malingering - a condition wherein the
individual tends to claim that he has an illness
to avoid doing consequences, to solicit money
and etc.
 Factitious disorder - a situation where the
individual fakes the illness to solicit attention
Types of Cancer
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
- a type of cancer of the blood and bone
marrow – the spongy tissue inside bones where
blood cells are made.
• Bone Cancer – can begin in any bone in the
body, but it most commonly affects the pelvis
or the long bones in the arms and legs.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Bone Pain
- Swelling and tenderness near the affected
area.
- Weakened bone, leading to fracture
- Fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
• Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin – a
diagnosis given when Doctors aren’t able to
locate where a cancer began.
• Head and Neck Cancer – is a group of cancers
that starts in the mouth, nose, throat, larynx,
sinuses, or salivary glands. Symptoms for head
and neck cancer may include a lump or sore
that does not heal, a sore throat that does not
go away, trouble swallowing, or a change in the
voice.
 • Inflammatory Breast Cancer – is a rare and very
aggressive disease in which cancer cells block
lymph vessels in the skin of the breast.

• Merkel Cell Carcinoma – is a rare type of skin

cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or
bluish – red nodule, often on your face, head or
neck.

• Mesothelioma – is a tumor of that tissue. It

usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in
the abdomen or other organs. It is rare but
serious type of cancer. Most people who get it
have worked on jobs where they inhaled
asbestos particles.

Stress-Coping Strategies

• Learn how to manage the stress

• Relax

• Get a good night’s sleep

• Avoid over scheduling

• Be realistic

• Treat your body well

• Have a positive outlook