topic 8
Adolescence
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Critical Thinking Questions Adolescence is a
developmental stage during which individuals are engaged in a variety of developmental tasks. Two of these are the task of identity-formation and the loosening of parental attachments in exchange for intimate peer relationships.
Adolescence is also a time of rapid physical growth, and is sometimes accompanied by awkwardness and clumsiness as the individual gets used to negotiating the world in a body that is no longer a familiar companion. The complexity of
the modern world may be seen as making these tasks even more daunting, perhaps explaining why many people feel that adolescence is a time of turmoil and trouble for youths and their families, although research has not found much
support for this negative view of adolescence.
The following two articles discuss a recent trend toward early sexual maturation in young girls. Each of the articles comes from a
very different perspective. The Pediatrics article is a report on the changing prevalence of early menarche, while the Essence
article addresses the impact of societal pressures for young African American girls to become sexually mature earlier. After reading the articles answer these questions, providing support from the articles for your answers: Do the articles appear to be discussing the same phenomenon from different perspectives, or are the reports discussing two completely different issues? Does it matter? What questions do these articles raise?
"Secondary sexual characteristics and menses in young girls seen in office practice: A study from the Pediatric Research in Office Settings Network." Marcia E. Herman-Giddens, Eric J. Slora, Richard C. Wasserman, Carlos
J. Bourdony, Manju V. Bhapkar, Gary G. Koch and Cynthia M. Hasemeier. Pediatrics, April 1997 v99 n4 p505(8). "Bubble gum and birth control: A girl's world." (pressure on girls to become adults before their time) (A
Special Report). Audrey Edwards. Essence, Sept 1998 v29 n5 p92(7).
Research Question(s) The two research articles below each deal with a
different aspect of adolescence, each of which is worthy of investigation. The first examines how intimacy during adolescence develops with two different relational partners: the best-friend and the sexual partner. The second study
investigates the relationship between adolescent self-esteem and locus of control differences.
After reading these articles answer the following questions for each article: What
were the independent variables and dependent variables in the study? How were the independent variables manipulated (or operationally defined if not manipulated)? What were the measurements used for the dependent variables? Would
other types of measurements be more useful in assessing these dependent variables? Why or why not? "Assessing intimacy with the best friend and the sexual partner during adolescence: the PAIR-M inventory".
(Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships-Modified) Jocelyne Theriault. The Journal of Psychology, Sep 1998 v132 n5 p493(14). "Adolescent self-esteem and locus of control: a longitudinal study of gender and age
differences." Nancy H. Chubb, Carl I. Fertman and Jennifer L. Ross. Adolescence, Spring 1997 v32 n125 p113(17).
Suggested Readings from Infotrac College Edition "Growth and
normal puberty". (National Cooperative Growth Study: Guidance in Growth) Val Abbassi. Pediatrics, August 1998 v102 n2 p507(5). This discussion of growth patterns during puberty provides normative data and information that
both adolescents and their parents may find useful.
"Perhaps hormones, but certainly the human condition, deal preteens a stunning blow". Hilary Cosell. The Brown
University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, June 1998 v14 n6 p8(1). A narrative account touches on some important issues surrounding adolescent development, taking the perspectives of both parents and their adolescents into
account. "Urban African American adolescent parents: their perceptions of sex, love, intimacy, pregnancy, and parenting". Jewel L. Jones Harris. Adolescence, Winter 1998 v33 i132 p833(1). This study examines issues
surrounding adolescent pregnancy among urban youths. Evidence is found for a pattern of reduced age of menarche in this population. "The effects of violence exposure on urban youth." (No Safe Haven, part 2). Mary
Schwab-Stone, Chuansheng Chen, Ellen Greenberger, David Silver, Judith Lichtman and Charlene Voyce. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, April 1999 v38 i4 p359(9). This article is an examination
of how urban youth are affected by exposure to varying levels and types of inner city violence. "Moral reasoning and political beliefs of Dutch adolescents and young adults". Quinten A.W. Raaijmakers, Tom F.M.A. Verbogt
and Wilma A.M. Vollebergh. Journal of Social Issues, Fall 1998 v54 i3 p531(1). This study examines the development of moral reasoning using Kohlberg's theory and the adoption of political beliefs in an attempt to explain a
persistently found relationship between the two. "Gender differences in the suicide-related behaviors of adolescents and young adults". Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Peter Lewinsohn, Paul Rohde, John Seeley,
Candice M. Monson, Kathryn A. Meyer and Richard Langford. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, Dec 1998 v39 i11-12 p839(1). A study examining behaviors posited to be related to suicidal intentions found gender differences that may
contribute to an understanding of suicide among adolescents and young adults. These findings may be useful in screening troubled adolescents for suicide potential.