Adolescent Health: Changes, Impacts on Health, and Professional Role

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of adolescent health, focusing on the physical, cognitive, and social changes that characterize this developmental stage. It begins by defining adolescence and highlighting its unique requirements, including physical growth, psychological and behavioral shifts, and evolving social expectations. The essay delves into the physical changes, such as puberty and its varying timelines for girls and boys, and the emotional and social implications of these changes. It then explores the cognitive development during adolescence, from concrete to formal logical thinking, and the impact of emotional issues on decision-making. Furthermore, the essay examines the social changes adolescents experience, including identity search, the quest for independence and responsibility, peer influence, and the development of sexual identity. The essay also discusses the health impacts of these changes, emphasizing the role of healthcare professionals in addressing adolescent health issues, including risky behaviors, emotional turmoil, and mental health disorders. The essay concludes by stressing the importance of healthcare professionals being aware of the cognitive, social, and physical developments of adolescents to provide appropriate interventions and support.

Running head: ADOLESCENT HEALTH
ADOLESCENT HEALTH
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Introduction:
Adolescence (10-19 years) can be described as the phase of life which had recently
gained recognition in the present generation as a distinct phase of life which has its own special
requirements (Kim et al., 2015). This phase is seen to be characterized by acceleration of the
physical growth as well as psychological and behavioral changes that ultimately bring about
transformation from childhood to that of the adulthood (Kar et al., 2015). In addition to these, the
adolescents are also seen to experience changes in the social expectations as well as perceptions.
This age also accompanies the development of an individual’s capacity for abstract as well as
critical thinking ability along with the development of a sense of self-awareness when social
expectations require emotional maturity.
Physical changes:
The physical changes occurring in the adolescents make them appear adult like but still
they are found to be emotionally immature. Studies are of the opinion that appearance of acne as
well as increase in the body odor is two distinguishing features that children are developing into
adults. The most prominent physical changes occurring in the adolescents are maturation of the
genitals or puberty. Studies have found that although the timing of the puberty varies extensively
among different adolescents but it has been found that girls develop much earlier than the boys.
The onset of the menstruation is seen to be the main signal for the beginning of the
puberty for the girls. It has been found that once a girl has started to undergo menstruation in a
regular manner, she becomes capable of reproduction. Some of the other physical changes that
the girls are seen to go through include an increase in the body hairs as well as the emergence
and growth of the breast tissues. Studies opine that the average age found to be for the phase for
the puberty of girls is 12.5 years and girls who are seen to undergo maturation earlier than that of
her other friends are seen to feel awkward among the less developed friends. They can b seen to
feel inhibited from playing of sports as well. Observational studies have shown that they might
often been mistaken for matured older women and are often thrusted into situations to which
they are not emotionally ready (Vijayakumar et al., 2018). On the other hand, it has been found
that girls who undergo late maturation are seen to worry whether their bodies are functioning
normally or not. Changes in the body shape as well as the height with the widening of the hips

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are noticed among girls who enter adolescence. As opposed to that of the girls undergoing
adolescence, boys are seen to enter puberty in a gradual manner and not as the outcome of one
particular event. The physical changes are noticed among the boys between the age cohort of that
of 13 and that of 17 which included rapid growth as well as an increase in the hairs of the body
and the facial hair. Development of the sexual organs and even the undergoing of changes off the
voice are some of the characters observed among the male adolescents. Some of the studies have
stated that as the boy is seen to grow sexually, they are found to be starting to release nocturnal
emissions. Studies have found that the average age for the boys who are seen to enter puberty is
14 years (Berenbaum et al., 2015). There are some boys who undergo early maturation and are
mainly looked upon as the leaders as well as the athletes. This is because they are seen to obtain
increased strength of the muscles and speeding at the younger age. It had been also noticed on
the other hand that boys who mature late often gets teased by their friends which often makes
them stop interacting with their peers and undergo social isolation.
Social changes:
Adolescents are seen to undergo a number of social changes. Firstly, they are seen to
search for their identity where young people are found to be busy working out who they are and
where they fit in the world. This search are often found to be influenced by that of gender,
cultural background, peer group as well as media, family expectations and even schools.
Secondly, they are seen to be seeking for more independence and this change often influences
the decision that they make and the relationships that the child has with the family members and
friends. Third, they are also seen to seeking for more responsibility both at school as well as
home (Paul et al., 2018). Fourth, they are also seen to be thriving for more experiences. The
teenage brain development occurs in such ways that it makes the teenagers seek out for newer
experiences and also causes them to engage in more-risk taking behaviors. However, they still
try to develop control over their impulses. Fifth, they are also seen to be thinking between “right”
and “wrong”. The children are seen to build a stronger as well as that of the individual set of
values as well as morals. Studies also state that adolescents learn the need to be responsible for
the actions they take as well as their decisions as well as consequences. It is also found that they
are found to be questioning more things. Sixth, they also get influenced their peers especially
when in cases of behaviors, sense of self as well as self-esteem. Seventh, they also start to

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develop as well as explore their sexual identity where they may feel interested in having
romantic relationships with similar individuals. Eight, they are seen to communicate in varieties
of ways like they prefer working on internets, cell phones as well as social media where they feel
happier and satisfied being connected with the entire world (Blakemore et al., 2018).
Cognitive development:
During the time of 12 to 18, the developing adolescents are seen to acquire the abilities
of thinking in a systematic manner about every of the logical relationships that associate with a
particular problem. The transition occurring from that of the concrete thinking to that of the
formal logical thinking and operating procedures takes place during this phase. Each of the
adolescents is found to progress at varying pace to develop his or her ability in viewing the
world. Even some of the adolescents are seen to be applying logical operations at different places
school work long before they are able to apply them in any of their personal dilemmas. However,
emotional issues often interfere with the adolescents’ ability in working and thinking procedures.
Studies opine that their ability of considering various types of possibilities and other facts can be
seen to be influencing their decision making in either negative or positive manners (Casey et al.,
2018). During the time of early adolescents, individuals use the complex thinking procedure for
person decision-making in schools and home environments that might include demonstration of
formal logical operations in school chores, beginning to question society standards and authority,
beginning to form as well as verbalize his or her thoughts as well as views on variety of topics.
The middle adolescents with some of their experiences is using more of the complex thinking
procedures are seen to focus on more of the philosophical as well as futuristic concerns (Lisdahl
et al., 2018). These are seen to include questioning and analyzing more extensively,
systematically consider future goals, different possibilities o develop identity, thinking long-term
and others. The late adolescents use the complex thinking procedures as the way of focusing on
the less self-centered concepts as well as personal decision makings. They are seen to be
developing idealistic views on different types of specific concerns and topics, and others like the
debate and would be developing intolerance to certain views, make career decisions and others.

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Importance of the topic and discussion of health impacts:
Healthcare professionals often have to attend to many adolescent patients who come up
with various kinds of health issues that might vary from physical health issues to psychological
and mental health disorders and even because of emotional turmoil. Although they are seen to
mature during this stage, but lack of experience might inhibit their capability to develop self-
coping and self-management abilities. Hence, healthcare professionals need to be well aware of
the physical, cognitive as well as social developments occurring in adolescents so that hey can
find the root cause of their problem and helps them accordingly. Hence, this topic would help
professional develop an in-depth knowledge and make strong base for treating adolescents who
come for help (Simmons, 2017). During adolescence, individuals are found to be high on
adrenaline for which they are seen to undertake many adventurous expeditions which might
result in a number of risky behaviors. Hence, unsafe sexual practices, unwanted sex, unintended
pregnancies are some of the concerns often reported by the adolescents. It has been found that
rushing into situation considering them as the most attractive opportunities (when they are not)
often land them in troubles because they fail to apply logical thinking procedures in the very
situations. They are seen to be fidgety in their thinking processes and rise of confusions are often
noted. The new found feelings of freedom and independence often make them vulnerable to
undertake wrong lifestyle processes (Salam et al., 2016). Drink and driving as well as road
accidents are higher among the number of the adolescents. Moreover, intolerance to opposing
views and the habit of challenging authority and society often make them develop violence and
aggressive behavior. Criminal activities are also found to be common as they get easily carried
away. Lack of experiences in handling different problems often makes them undertake wrong
decision resulting in emotional turmoil as well. Development of depression and anxiety are
common and the contributing factors are cyber-bullying, body image issues, weight issues, social
acceptance in peer groups and others.
Conclusion:
Healthcare professionals need to be well aware of the cognitive, social as well as physical
developments of adolescents. This would help them develop an idea about the cause of the
different health issues faced by them. Accordingly, these would help them provide interventions
that align with their maturity, expectations and increase cooperation.

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Vijayakumar, N., de Macks, Z. O., Shirtcliff, E. A., & Pfeifer, J. H. (2018). Puberty and the
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