Hormonal changes occur during the adolescent stage of development.

Development
between girls and boys change during this time. Puberty is happening. Girls are going
through their first menstrual cycle and their body shapes are changing, while boys are
having growth spurts, and their voice is changing (Berk, 2012, p. 204).
Language development in the adolescent phase is more complex and has multiple areas
of development to use at one time. Adolescents are storytellers. They use it in social,
academic, and practical settings. They are required to remember events, organize
information, and to understand the epistemological and emotional perspectives of others,
and employ complex syntax and appropriate vocabulary to express oneself with clarity,
precision, and efficiency (Nippold, Frantz-Kaspar, Cramond, Kirk, Hayward-Mayhew,
& MacKinnon, 2014).
Adolescents become capable of hypothetic-deductive reasoning. They are able to come
up with a hypothesis about variables that might affect the outcome to a situation. They
then can deduce logical, testable inferences and systematically isolate and combine
variables to see which inferences are confirmed. Adolescents also develop propositional
thought. They can evaluate the logic in a verbal statement without referring to real-world
circumstances (Berk, 2012, p. 274).
Children in the adolescent stage have a sense of emotional self-efficacy. They are in
control of their emotional experiences. They also have a better perspective of peoples
immediate distresses and can be empathetic to not only that but their general life
conditions (Berk, 2012, p. 412, 417).
Adolescents integrate personal rights with ideal reciprocity, they demand that the
protections they want for themselves extend to others. They are also more mindful of the

overlap of moral imperatives, social conventions, and personal choice (Berk, 2012, p.
512).
An adolescents self-esteem impacts their close friendship, romantic appeal, and job
competence. If the adolescent grew up not having their self-esteem fostered, this will
impact their social interactions with others (Berk, 2012, p. 469).
Children from individualistic cultures seem to be more egoistic and competitive, while
those from collectivist cultures are more concerned with connections to others. This
influences adolescents as they create relationships and view their self-concept (Berk,
2012, p. 460).
Physical development can be hindered and threatened by an adolescent that is battling an
eating disorder. Irreversible brain damage can occur, the heart muscle can shrink, and
bone mass can shrink. Menstrual cycle may stop due to not enough body fat present.
Physical complications may result in death (Berk, 2012, p. 211). Another development
that may be hindered in adolescence is when the growth hormone does not develop
correctly. It should double production during puberty, if this does not happen, the child
may not develop as they should (Berk, 2012, p. 182).
During the adolescent phase, children are learning their self-worth and identity. Families
can create a confirming, positive climate for the adolescent by showing the child that they
are accepted and supported. Children will learn they are competent and capable beings.
Families can give the child a platform to express their thoughts, views, and perspective
on different subjects. In doing this, their social-emotional development will foster in a
positive way (Dailey, 2009). Another way that parents can impact an adolescents

development is by giving them an outlet to express their feelings. Parents can help the
child with a painting afternoon. They can get a canvas and be creative.
Here is a video that takes a look at eating disorders. Please take a moment to view,
Battling Eating Disorders (2006), to understand how parents and caretakers can support
teenagers. http://digital.films.com.proxylibrary.ashford.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=18596&xtid=35200

References
Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Dailey, R. (2009). Confirmation from family members: parent and sibling contributions to
adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Western Journal of Communication, 73(3), 273-299.
Films Media Group. (2006). Battling Eating Disorders [Video File]. Retrieved from:
http://digital.films.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=18596&xtid=35200
Nippold, M., Frantz-Kaspar, M., Cramond, P., Kirk, C., Hayward-Mayhew, C., & MacKinnon,
M. (2014). Conversational and narrative speaking in adolescents: examining the use of complex
syntax. Journal of Speech, Language, & Hearing Research, 57(3), 876-886.