Harvey C.

Domingo | 2009-00688 PT 132 PUBERTY & ADOLESCENCE (ATM) Puberty stage in development during which maturation of the sexual apparatus occurs and reproduction capacity is attained Also is accompanied by changes in somatic growth and psychological perspective (quoted from Root) Unique distinctive period characterized by certain developmental changes that occur * Characteristics of Puberty Puberty is an overlapping period Encompasses the closing years of childhood and the beginning years of adolescence Until their sexual maturity, children are known as pubescent/pubescent children After sexual maturityadolescents/young adult Puberty is a short period 2-4 years Rapid Maturers 2 years/ less Slow Maturers 3-4 years to complete the transformation into adults girls tend to mature more rapidly than boys Puberty is divided into stages Pre-pubescent stage overlaps with childhood Pubescent stage dividing line between child and adult (could be menarche for girls & first nocturnal emissions for boys) Post-pubescent stage secondary sex characteristics Puberty is a time of rapid growth & development Generally known as the Adolescent Growth Spurt More correctly, it is the Pubescent Growth Spurt This growth spurt lasts for a year or two before children become sexually mature and continues for six months to a year forward. Puberty is a negative phase Rapid changes that take place lead to confusion, to feelings of inadequacy & insecurity, and in many cases to unfavorable behavior Individual takes on an anti-attitude toward life or seems to be losing some of the good qualities previously developed The behavior characteristic change is more prominent in girls Puberty occurs at variable age Can occur between age 5/6 and 19 years Average: girls can become sexually mature at age 13 while boys, 14. * Criteria of Puberty Menarche for girls Nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) for boys Chemical testing of urine (best/most accurate way of testing puberty stage) tests for hormone count X-rays of bone development (most accurate but impractical) * Body changes at Puberty Changes in body size (height) GIRLS 2 years preceding puberty an increase of 3 in. to height 1 year preceding puberty 2.5 in (5-6 in. increase is not unusual) After menarche, growth slows down to 1 in. per year, which ceases at around 18 years BOYS Average inset of the period of rapid growth in height is 12.8 years & end in 15.3 years (peak at 14) Greatest increase comes in the year following the onset of puberty Growth decelerates but continues at a slow rate until the age of 20/21 Because of this longer growth period, boys achieve the greater height by the time they are mature than girls do. Changes in body size (weight) Comes not only in increase of body fat but also in increase of muscle mass Changes in body proportion Nose, feet & hands become proportionally too big because they reach their mature size sooner than the other areas Thin, long trunk of the older child begins to broad at hips & shoulders and a waistline develops
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Harvey C. Domingo | 2009-00688 UP CAMP BS Physical Therapy

 Boys who mature early usually have broader hips than boys who mature late Just before puberty, the legs are disproportionately long in relation to trunk & continue to be until the child is approximately 15 Late maturers long legged; early maturers short legged Primary sex characteristics Growth and development of sex organs BOYS (secondary sex characteristics) 1) Hair body hair appears; darker; coarser; more luxuriant; & slightly kinky 2) Skin becomes coarser; less transparent; sallow in color; & the pores enlarge 3) Glands sebaceous & apocrine becomes more active 4) Muscles increase markedly in size 5) Voice at first it becomes husky then later drops in pitch; voice breaks are common when maturing rapidly GIRLS (secondary sex characteristics) 1) Hips become wider, rounder 2) Breasts become larger, rounder 3) Hair body hair appears; darker; coarser; more luxuriant & slightly kinky 4) Skin becomes coarser; thicker; slightly sallow; & the pores enlarge 5) Glands sebaceous & apocrine becomes more active 6) Muscles increase in size & strength 7) Voice becomes fuller & more melodious; huskiness and breaks are rare. * Effects of Puberty Changes Effects on Physical well-being Anemia Body aches Effects on Attitude & Behavior Desire for isolation Boredom Incoordination Social antagonism Heightened emotionality Loss of self confidence Excessive modesty

* Sources of Concern Concern about normalcy Concerns about sex-appropriateness (talks about our attractiveness to the opposite sex) Size (of clothes) Weight Genitalia Secondary sex characteristics

Adolescence age of mental, emotional & social, and physical maturity Early adolescence 13-17 (Teens) Late adolescence 17-18 (Young men/women/Youth) * Characteristics of Adolescence Adolescence an important period; transitional period [child adolescent adult] Period of change A problem age A time of search for identity Dreaded age (because of stereotypes) Time of unrealism Threshold of adulthood * Developmental Tasks Achieving new & more mature relations with agemates of both sexes Achieving a masculine or feminine social role Accepting ones physique and using ones body effectively Desiring, accepting & achieving socially responsible behavior Achieving emotional independence from parents and older adults Preparing for an economic career Preparing for marriage and family life Acquiring a set of values & an ethical system as a guide to behaviordeveloping an ideology * Physical Changes during Adolescence Variations in height, weight, body proportion, sex organs, and secondary sex characteristics Effects of physical changes Concerns about physical changes

Harvey C. Domingo | 2009-00688 UP CAMP BS Physical Therapy

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* Emotionality Emotional pattern in adolescence Emotional maturity * Social Changes Increased peer-grouped influence Changes in social behavior New social groupings: Close friends Organized groups Cliques Gangs Crowds New values in selection of friends New values in social acceptance New values in selection of leaders * Adolescent Interests 1) Recreational Interests Games & sports, relaxing, traveling, hobbies, dancing, reading, movies, radio & records, TV, daydreaming, gadgets 2) Social Interests 3) Personal Interests Interest in appearance, clothes, achievements, independence, and money 4) Vocational Interests 5) Religious Interests 6) Interest in status symbol * Conditions Influencing the Adolescents SelfConcept Age of maturing Appearance Sex-appropriateness Names and nicknames Family relationships Peers Creativity Level of aspiration

Reference: Hurlock, E.B. (1982). Development Psychology: A Life Approach (5th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill *Directly quoted from the power point lecture of Prof. Almira T. Manuel, PTRP; July 28, 2011.

Harvey C. Domingo | 2009-00688 UP CAMP BS Physical Therapy

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