Adolescence is the vital period that begins with puberty, around age 10, and develops through several stages until approximately age 19. It is a period in which we leave childhood and prepare ourselves on a physical, emotional and psychological level to enter adult life.
Adolescence contains three stages within its development: early, middle and late stages. In this Psychology-Online article we will delve into the last of the stages, we will see what is late adolescencethe characteristics it presents and the changes it entails.
Stages of adolescence and ages
It occurs throughout three stages:
- early adolescence: It occurs between the ages of 10 and 13 and there is an imbalance caused, fundamentally, by pubertal changes.
- Middle adolescence: period between 14 and 17 years characterized by the adolescent beginning the process of identification with the peer group, which involves abandoning the reference criteria established by parental figures.
- Late adolescence: It occurs between the ages of 17 and 19 and involves a progressive recovery of balance, now becoming a new person as a result of the process of change and personal creation experienced throughout this stage.
What is late adolescence?
The late adolescence It constitutes the last stage in the development of adolescence. It occurs between 17 and 19 years of age and represents a settling time of all the changes experienced throughout this vital period. Little by little, the adolescent recovers the balance lost with the onset of puberty, a result of the acceptance and integration of everyone. physical, emotional and psychological changes lived. This recovery of balance is necessary to begin the transition to adult life in a state of health at all levels. Sometimes, entering adulthood with certain unresolved imbalances will be the cause of social maladjustments that will manifest in the medium and long term.
Characteristics of late adolescence
The adolescent, during this stage, manages to create a personal identity (the result of the integration of their previous being with their new and free personal choices), create new social relationships and internalize ethics that will determine their progressive entry and functioning in the adult world.
Thinking reaches the level of formal operations, which allows it to carry out a series of cognitive operations with which it will evolve in this last stage of adolescent development.
Physical changes of late adolescence
The physical changes produced in adolescence occur much more intensely during the first stage. In late adolescence, a progressive slowing of growth occurs. In this way, hormonal secretions, growth and body changes (height, weight, bone mass, etc.), the development of organs and systems (sexual maturation, increase in different organs), etc. They stop their progression due to the maturation reached.
At this stage, the following changes take place:
- size definitive size for male adolescents, which can last until age 21 (in the case of female adolescents, the final size is established during middle adolescence)
- brain development continues to develop, completing its maturation between 25-30 years
- control excitesl is achieved in this last period of the adolescent
- peak acquisition is reached bone mass
Psychological changes of late adolescence
The Psychological changes The most prominent in this stage of adolescence occur with respect to: independence, body image, friends and identity:
- Independence: after the hard process of dis-identification with parental values and the possible conflicts that occur during the early and middle stages, these values are re-accepted but from a place of personal construction.
- Body image: The changes experienced since the beginning of adolescence produce insecurity and comparisons with respect to one’s own personal image. During this stage, they are able to accept the changes and the final result, a new personal image with which they identify and accept.
- Friendships: Adolescence begins with a timid openness to the world, outside the limits of the family environment. Through the different experiences lived, the adolescent becomes integrated into a group of equals and it is in the late stage when their relationships with friends are consolidated and their emotional relationships seek more intimacy.
- Identity: in the search for their own identity, adolescents have different experiences, moving from the egocentric and fantastic childhood world to a more abstract and realistic reasoning that allows them to establish clear and clear objectives and limits. internalize own moral, cultural and social values.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Adrián, J., & Rangel, E. (2012). Adolescent transition and education. Learning and development of personality1, 1-16.
- Güemes-Hidalgo, M., Ceñal González-Fierro, MJ, & Hidalgo Vicario, MI (2017). Development during adolescence. Physical, psychological and social aspects. Comprehensive Pediatrics21(4), 233-244.
- Lucas, M. L. (2008). How will your body change with puberty? Pediatrician, Jávea Health Center, Alicante.
- Uson Thesis. Theoretical framework. Chapter I. Adolescence. Retrieved from: http://tesis.uson.mx/digital/tesis/docs/21996/capitulo1.pdf