Adolescent Challenges Adolescent in Crisis - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Adolescent ChallengesSlide2

Adolescent in Crisis

There are many issues that the adolescent faces in today’s American society that could bring on anxiety, present challenging problems, and/or require difficult decision-making.

Each individual may deal differently with these subjects. For some, the matter may be insignificant, while it becomes a crisis for others or their family. Slide3

Personality & temperament

…

Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (pronounced ‘young’; 1875-1961) theorized about personality and temperament. He defined ‘temperament’ as an individual’s true nature or disposition. It is defined by genetics and our inborn reactions to our environment, emotional and social situations.

Personality, or persona is how we present ourselves to the world. Persona represents all of the different social masks that we wear among different groups and situations, and involves our ego, or behaviors. The individual cannot change inborn temperament … but might be able to revise personality. This likely occurs during adolescence as part of identity development.

People

with personality disorders

have

a

restricted

view of the world and find it difficult to participate in social

activities. Numerous conditions have been identified: Multiple Personalities, Borderline Personality, Bipolar, and Attention-Deficit, Dissociative, and Obsessive-compulsive Disorders, and Anti-social

Behavior,

etc.Slide4

Personality & temperament

…

Activity

Level (active vs. passive)

The proportion of active periods to inactive ones

Adaptability

The

ease with which a child adapts to changes in his environment

Approach/Withdrawal (introvert vs. extrovert or assertive vs. unsure)

The

response to a new object or person

Distractibility

The

degree to which extraneous stimuli affect behavior

Intensity of Reaction

The

energy of response regardless of its quality or direction

Quality of Mood Amount of time spent in friendly, pleasant, joyful behaviorPersistence/Attention Span The amount of time devoted to an activity and level of distractionRegularity/Rhythmicity (structured vs. disorganized) Regularity of hunger, excretion, sleep and wakefulnessSensory Threshold (calm vs. anxious) The intensity of stimuli required to evoke a discernible response

There are 9 identified traits that characterize ones temperament: Slide5

Personality & temperament

…

Jung identified a number of archetypes (typical examples) of personality. He suggested that this list

is not static or fixed. Instead, many different archetypes may overlap or combine at any given time. The following are just a few of the various archetypes that Jung described

:

The father: Authority figure; stern; powerful.

The mother: Nurturing; comforting.

The child: Longing for innocence; rebirth;

salvation

.

The wise old man: Guidance; knowledge;

wisdom

.

The hero: Champion; defender; rescuer.

The maiden: Innocence; desire; purity.

The trickster: Deceiver; liar; trouble-maker.Slide6

Personality & temperament

…

Alfred Adler (1870-1937)

believed that a person's behavior is motivated by a desire to achieve success or superiority.

This

is often moderated by social environments

. According to his theory, all children feel inadequacies when compared to others. He coined the phrase

‘inferiority complex

’ to describe that concept. Although he did believe that personality

is influenced in large part by heredity and the environment, Adler believed that each person has his or her ability to create a distinct

personality in order to be successful and achieve full mental health.

Adler also theorized about

birth order and personality

. He

believed

the

order in which you are born to a family

affects

your personality. First born children enjoy excessive attention until younger siblings steal it, leaving them to have the greatest number of problems as they get older. Adler believed middle born children have a high need for superiority and are often able to seek it out through healthy competition. The youngest children get pampered and protected more than any other child did, which could leave them with a sense that he cannot take on the world alone and will always be inferior to others. Slide7

Personality & temperament

…

Building on the writings and observations of Jung during World War II,

Isabel Briggs-Myers

and her mother, Katharine C. Briggs, delineated personality types by constructing the

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

.

This model was later revised by David

Keirsey

with a different understanding from Jung, Briggs and Myers. He called his test the

Kiersey

Temperament Sorter

.

Gallup, Inc. is an American research-based group that is best known for conducting public opinion polls and then using the findings to consult with businesses, employers, political campaigns, etc.

They developed

the

Gallup Strengths

Assessment,

which some companies are using to help identify possible employees, with strengths that meet their needs.Slide8

Internet addiction…

Internet

Addiction, also known as

computer addiction, online addiction, or Internet addiction disorder (IAD),

can be categorized into 5 different areas…

Cybersex

Addiction

– compulsive use of Internet

pornography

, adult

chat rooms

,

fantasy sex, etc. Cyber-Relationship Addiction – addiction to social networking, chat rooms, texting, and messaging Net Compulsions – such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or use of online auction sites Computer Addiction – obsessive playing of off-line

computer games,

or obsessive computer

programming

.

Information

Overload

– compulsive web surfing or

database

searchingSlide9

Internet addiction…

Spending a lot of time

online or on the computer is defined as ‘an impulse control PROBLEM’

when it absorbs too much of your time, causing you to neglect your relationships, your work, school, or other important things in your life.

People become addicted to the internet to relieve unpleasant and overwhelming feelings. Risk

factors for

Internet or computer addiction include:

You

suffer from

anxiety, you’re depressed, you

have any other

addictions (such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, or sex), you

lack social

support, you’re

an unhappy

teenager (more so than other age groups), you’re

less mobile or socially active than you once

were, or you

are stressed. Slide10

Internet addiction…

Signs

and symptoms of Internet addiction vary from person to person.

There

are no set hours per day or number of messages sent that indicate

internet addiction, but there are some

general warning signs that

internet

use may have become a problem:

Losing

track of time

while online, having

trouble completing tasks at work or

home, increasing isolation

from family and

friends, feeling

guilty or defensive about your

internet use, or feeling

a sense of euphoria while involved in Internet activities. Internet or computer addiction can also cause physical discomfort such as: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness in hands and wrists), dry eyes or strained vision, back and/or neck aches, severe headaches, sleep disturbances, or pronounced weight gain/ loss. Slide11

Substance abuse

…

Young people use

drugs, including nicotine and alcohol,

for similar reasons that adults do – to change how they

feel,

because they want to feel better or different.

Reasons

may include

:

Relaxation or fun

Boredom

Curiosity

Socializing

with friends, peer pressure

or the

need to feel part of a group

To

escape from psychological or physiological pain.Adolescents are particularly susceptible to substance abuse due to their level of brain development and cognitive thinking. They are still developing the skills needed to make wise judgments, good decisions, and exercise self-control; they are risk takers and don’t thoroughly understand the relationship between actions and consequences; they experiment; they are heavily influenced by mass media and peers; they seek excessive stimulation. Slide12

Substance abuse

…

The

more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Risk factors include:

Biology

- genetics, gender, ethnicity, and presence of other mental disorders

Social Environment

- influences of

family and

friends, socioeconomic status, quality

of life in

general,

peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting

Age and

S

tage of Development

- critical

developmental stages in a person’s life affect addiction vulnerability; although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse. PREVENTION IS THE KEY.Slide13

Drug abuse

…

Illicit drug use includes the abuse of illegal drugs and/or the misuse of prescription medications or household substances.

These drugs

directly or indirectly cause a pleasurable increase in the amount of dopamine in the

brain. As

a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the

drug-induced

surges in dopamine by producing

less dopamine of its own. This

decrease compels the addicted person to keep abusing drugs in an attempt to bring the dopamine function back to normal, but now larger amounts of the drug are required to achieve the same

euphoric dopamine

high—an effect known as tolerance

. Slide14

Drug abuse

…

Repeatedly

seeking to experience

that euphoric

feeling can lead to

addiction, a

chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her.

Effects experienced by abusing drugs range from heightened sensory perception, euphoria, weight loss, increased alertness and energy, and ability to sleep… to paranoia, hallucinations, seizures, memory loss, organ failure, tooth decay, weight gain, cognitive impairment, and death. Slide15

Drug abuse

…

Illegal drug use may include synthetic

cathinone

products (marketed as bath salts, phone screen cleaner, plant food, jewelry cleaner), club drugs (date rape drugs incl. ketamine,

rohypnol

, GHB), cocaine, hallucinogens (such as LSD and PCP), heroine, inhalants (such as spray paint, markers, glues, cleaning fluids) , marijuana and synthetic marijuana, MDMA (Ecstasy), methamphetamine, salvia, anabolic steroids, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs ( such as dextromethorphan found in cough and cold medications), and prescription drugs.

Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids for pain ( Vicodin,

Oxycontin

, Darvon), central nervous system depressants for anxiety and sleep

disorders (Xanax

, Valium), and stimulants for ADHD

and

narcolepsy (Ritalin, Adderall). Slide16

Alcohol use and abuse

…

It

is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes; however, the liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the body. The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.

Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor.Slide17

Alcohol use and abuse

…

Individual

reactions to alcohol vary,

and

are influenced

by factors such

as

: age, gender, race or ethnicity, weight, fitness level, amount of food consumed before drinking, how quickly the alcohol was consumed, use of drugs or prescription medications, and family history of alcohol problems.

Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker's body and can damage a developing fetus. Intoxication can impair brain function and motor skills; heavy use can increase risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver disease. Alcoholism is a diagnosable disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, and/or continued use despite harm or personal injury. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one's health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.Slide18

Alcohol use and abuse

…

Binge drinking has become common among younger drinkers. A

single alcohol binge

may

cause bacteria to leak from the

intestines and

increase levels of bacterial toxins in the

blood.

Increased levels of these bacterial toxins, called endotoxins, were shown to

adversely affect

the immune

system. Binge

drinking

corresponds

to consuming

about 5

or more drinks for men, or 4 or more drinks for women, in

a 2 hour period. Drinking too much too quickly can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature, gag reflex, and potentially lead to coma and death. This is known as ‘alcohol poisoning’.Slide19

Smoking

…

Cigarettes

and other forms of tobacco—including cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco—contain the addictive drug nicotine. Nicotine is readily absorbed into the bloodstream when a tobacco product is chewed, inhaled, or smoked.

Upon

entering the bloodstream, nicotine immediately stimulates the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine stimulates the central nervous system and increases blood pressure, respiration, and heart

rate. Nicotine also increases brain levels

of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which affects the brain pathways that control reward and pleasure.

Long-term

brain changes

can

result in

addiction to nicotine.Slide20

Smoking

…

Nicotine

is

addictive, but does

not cause

cancer.

Tobacco smoke is a

mixture

of chemicals such as carbon monoxide, tar, formaldehyde, cyanide, and ammonia—many of which are

carcinogens (cancer-causing).

Carbon monoxide increases the chance of cardiovascular

diseases such as stroke, heart attack, vascular disease, and aneurysm.

Tar exposes the user to an increased risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders

.

On average, adults who smoke die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers

.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States.

It kills more people than obesity, substance abuse, infectious disease, firearms, and traffic accidents, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Pregnant women who smoke cigarettes run an increased risk of miscarriage, stillborn or premature infants, or infants with low birth weight.. Slide21

Smoking

…

Secondhand, passive, or environmental smoke consists

of exhaled smoke and smoke given off by the burning end of tobacco products.

Inhaling secondhand

smoke

increases risk for disease, especially respiratory problems. Children

exposed to secondhand smoking are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, ear problems, and severe asthma.

Children

who grow up with parents who smoke are more likely to become

smokers.

People begin smoking for a variety of reasons: peer

pressure, social bond with other smokers,

they like the risk (adolescents

), parental influence, misinformation

(‘light’ cigarettes),

genetic predisposition,

advertising and other media influences,

self-medication (for stress), oral satisfaction, and to keep from over-eating or biting nails.Slide22

Eating disorders…

Eating disorders are mental health disorders falling under the headings of anxiety disorders or OCD… Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Obsessions are repetitive or persistent behaviors, thoughts, impulses, or images that are unwanted and cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors (like throwing up after eating) or mental acts (like avoiding food). Eating disorders may be a combination of biological, behavioral, and social factors. An adolescent with an eating disorder is so preoccupied with food and weight that they can often focus on little else.

About 1 out of every 100 adolescent females and 1 in 1,000 adolescent males suffer from an eating disorder. Some teens may try to ‘be perfect’ or imitate cultural images. Others fear becoming overweight or suffer from depression, low self-esteem, feelings of emptiness, or feeling helpless and ‘out of control’.Slide23

Eating disorders…

2. Bulimia:

gross overeating

(binging) and then

purging (getting rid of)

the

food. Feeling disgusted and ashamed after overeating, bulimics try

to prevent weight gain by inducing vomiting or using laxatives, diet pills, diuretics, or enemas.

Stomach

acids from chronic vomiting can

cause: damage

to tooth

enamel, inflammation

of the

esophagus, swelling

of

salivary

glands in the

cheeks, and lower blood levels of potassium that can lead to dangerous, abnormal heart rhythms. 1. Anorexia: refusal to eat adequate calories out of fear of becoming fat. It can damage major organs, cause irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, and breathing rates, cessation of menstrual cycle, infertility, brittle hair and nails, and thinning of bones. It is fatal in about one out of every 10 cases, usually attributed to cardiac arrest, electrolyte imbalance, or suicide.The three main types of eating disorders are:Slide24

Eating disorders…

Overweight and obese

adolescents

are more likely to be bullied than their normal-weight

peers. 10

% of normal-weight

adolescents report

being bullied, compared to 15% of overweight and 23% of obese children. Obese teens are nearly 3 ½ times more likely to be excluded from group activities.

Long-term treatment addresses psychological issues. Treatments

include:

antidepressant medication, behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, support groups.

3. Binge eating disorder:

a condition in which

a

person may gorge rapidly on food,

but does not purge.

The excess weight caused by binge eating puts the individual at risk of: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.Slide25

Adolescent obesity…

Over 1/3

rd

of adolescents are overweight or obese.

Adolescents

who are obese are likely to be obese as

adults,

and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and

osteoarthritis.

Obesity in adolescence can be attributed to:

Poor eating habits

Fast food diets

Overeating or binging

Lack of exercise

Family history of obesity

Medical illnesses

Medications

Stressful life events

Family and peer problemsLow self-esteemEmotional problems DepressionOverweight and obese adolescents are targets for bullying.Slide26

Gangs

…

The Omaha Police Department reports nearly 80 gangs in the city, with over 3,000 members. They

identify with gang names, colors, gang language or hand signs and a common philosophy. Some gangs will mark an area or neighborhood with graffiti to claim the territory for distribution.

The gangs pose gun, drug, and

violence problems for the city.

Some 33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs with about 1.4 million members are criminally active in the U.S. today. Many are sophisticated and well organized; all use violence to control neighborhoods and boost their illegal money-making activities, which include robbery, burglary, drug and gun trafficking, fraud, extortion, and prostitution rings. Slide27

Gangs

…

Adolescents are the most likely age group to join gangs. The

prefrontal cortex of the brain is still developing, so cognitive skills involving judgment, decision-making, problem-solving and hypothetical thought are last to develop. They also struggle with identity, and want to be included by a social peer group. This can be especially true for minority teens. Gang

membership can enhance prestige or status among

friends. An adolescent is likely to have more freedom from parents than younger children.

Gangs provide

attractive opportunities

such as the chance for excitement, and making money

in selling

drugs or prostitution.

Protection

from other gangs and perceived

‘safety’

are key of minority youth serves to push them into gangs.Slide28

Gangs

…

family instability or from single parent homes

l

ow economic or poverty status

parents who are violent or gang-associated

sibling antisocial behavior

low

educational

aspiration

low commitment/attachment

to

school

high

levels of antisocial behavior

low

achievement test

scores and/or grades

the identity of being learning disabledassociating with law-violating peersearly use of alcohol and marijuanaprior delinquencyhyperactivityearly sexual activitybeing malehostility, aggression and rule breakingfeeling unsafe in your neighborhoodAn adolescent who is exposed to 7 or more risk factors by age 12 is most likely to join a gang. Risk factors include:Slide29

Juvenile delinquency…

Juvenile delinquency is defined as the habitual committing of criminal acts or offenses by a young person, especially one below the age at which ordinary criminal prosecution is possible (usually 18, but as early as age 14, depending on the nature of the crime). In Nebraska, community-based services and programs designed to work with youth who have committed a delinquent or criminal act and their families are overseen by the State Department of Health & Human Services.

There

are two youth correctional facilities in

Nebraska, for females

in Geneva and

for males

in Kearney.

The mission of the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center is to provide individualized supervision, care, accountability, and treatment in a manner consistent with public safety to those youth in its care. Slide30

Juvenile

delinquency…

Youth treatment and rehabilitation plans provide for physical, emotional, religious, educational, and social development. They provide the youth with the following opportunities:

drug and alcohol

assessment/education/treatment

pre-vocational

exposure and training

mental health/social services

problem solving skills

education

social

skills

treatment for sexual trauma

recreation

spiritual development Slide31

Juvenile delinquency

…

Risk factors for juvenile delinquency:

Low

parental involvement

Low parental education and income

Parental substance abuse or criminality

Poor monitoring and supervision of children

Poverty

High level of transiency

Attention

deficits, hyperactivity or learning disorders

History of early aggressive behavior

Involvement with

gangs, drugs

, alcohol or tobacco

Low

IQ or poor academic performance

Poor behavioral control or emotional distressAssociation with delinquent peersAntisocial beliefs and attitudes or social rejectionExposure to violence and conflict in the familyHarsh, lax or inconsistent disciplinary practicesSlide32

Self-injury

…

Self-injury is not a suicide attempt, although it might look and seem that way. It's

difficult for many people to

understand; self-injury is an unhealthy way to deal with emotional pain, intense anger, or frustration. It is a secretive behavior, easily hidden under clothes. It tends to start around age 14. There is a higher incidence in females than males.

Forms

of

self-injury

include:

Cutting, usually on the arms, legs, or torso

Carving

words or symbols on the skin

Breaking bones

Hitting or punching

Piercing the skin with sharp objects

Head banging

Biting

Pulling out hair

Persistently picking at/interfering with wound healingBurning (with lit matches, cigarettes or hot sharp objects like knives) Slide33

Self-injury

…

Self-injury

may bring a momentary sense of calm and a release of tension

, but is usually

followed by guilt and shame and the return of painful emotions. And with self-injury comes the possibility of more serious and even fatal self-aggressive actions.

Because self-injury is often done impulsively, it can be considered an impulse-control behavior problem. Self-injury may be linked to a variety of mental disorders, such as depression, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. Slide34

Self-injury

…

Through self-injury, the person may be trying to:

Manage or reduce severe distress or anxiety and provide a sense of relief

Provide a distraction from painful emotions through physical pain

Feel a sense of control over his or her body, feelings or life situations

Feel

anything

, even if it's physical pain, when feeling emotionally empty

Express internal feelings in an external way

Communicate depression or distressful feelings to the outside world

Be punished for perceived faults Slide35

Depression…

Teen depression is a serious medical problem that causes a

persistent

feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how

the adolescent thinks

, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems.

Depression is a mood disorder with symptoms that ease

with treatment such as medication and psychological counseling.

It cannot be overcome with willpower. Slide36

Depression causes…

Chemical imbalance in the brain, hormones, inherited traits, early childhood trauma, or learned patterns of negative thinking. Also:

Having an

anxiety

or eating disorder

Having

few

friends/personal

relationships

Abusing

alcohol, nicotine or other

drugs

Having low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic

Having

self-esteem issues such as obesity, peer problems, long-term bullying or academic

problems

Having a chronic medical illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma

Having

been the victim or witness of physical/sexual abuse or violenceBeing a girl — depression occurs more often in females than in malesBeing gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender — becoming socially isolated or experiencing bullying may increase the risk of depressionSlide37

Agitation or restlessness

Use of alcohol or drugs

Exaggerated

self-blame or self-criticism

Poor school performance or attendance

Tiredness,

loss of

energy, insomnia or sleeping too much

Feelings

of

sadness and/or

crying spells for no apparent reason

Irritability, frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters

Loss of interest or pleasure in normal

activities, family and friends

Feelings

of worthlessness, guilt, fixation on past failures

Trouble with memory, thinking, concentrating, decision-makingFrequent thoughts of death, dying, suicide, or grim futureChanges in appetite, dramatic weight loss or gainFrequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headachesNeglected appearance Disruptive or risky behaviorSelf-injury, such as cutting, burning, excessive piercing or tattooing

Depression symptoms…Slide38

Suicide

…

Adolescents

have trouble coping with the

stress

of

being

a teen,

such

as dealing with

rejection

, failure

, breakups

and family turmoil.

They lack brain development, maturity, and experience that would allow them to see

that they can turn their lives around — and that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Many teens who attempt or commit suicide have a mental health condition or substance abuse problem. Slide39

Suicide

…

Factors

that increase the risk of teen suicide

include:

Having a psychiatric disorder, such as depression

A history of suicide attempts

Family

history of suicidal behavior

F

amily

history of mood disorder

H

istory

of physical or sexual abuse

Exposure to

violence, such

as being injured or

threatened with a weaponOther factors, when combined with the above, can also increase the risk, including: Access to means, such as firearmsUse of alcohol or drugsBecoming pregnantSocial isolationExposure to suicideLoss or conflict with close friends or family membersSlide40

Suicide warning signs

…

Talking

about or hinting at suicide

Talking

about or writing about death

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Feeling purposeless or hopeless

Withdrawing from social contact

Mood swings

Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns

Acting recklessly or aggressively

Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there is no other logical explanation for why this is being done

Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated

Unexplained cuts or burns caused by self-injurySlide41

Teen Pregnancy

…

About 8 out of 10

pregnancies among adolescents are either unplanned or occurred before the adolescents were ready to be

parents. One

in six (18%) 15-year-old

females in the U.S.

will give birth by her 20th birthday.

Abstinence

from sexual intercourse is the most effective way to prevent unplanned

pregnancies. In

order to avoid unplanned pregnancies, it is essential for adolescents who are sexually active to use effective

contraceptives every time they have sex. But only about 1/4

th

of teens use contraceptives the first time they have sex… because that would be an indication or admitting it was ‘planned’.

Out of all teen pregnancies, 57% end in birth.

Another 14% end in

miscarriage (self-abortion). 29

% end in abortion (medical termination).Slide42

Teen Pregnancy

Pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks, so are considered high-risk pregnancies:

Lack of early prenatal care

No pre-pregnancy prenatal vitamins, increasing incidence of neural tube defects.

Higher risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia (dangerous

medical

condition combining high

blood pressure with excess protein in the urine… causes swelling and organ damage)

Higher risk of Caesarian section delivery, since pelvic

bones do not reach their maximum size until about the age of

18, and vaginal delivery is not possible

Babies of teen mothers have a higher mortality rate in the

first year of life

Higher

rates of premature

births and low birth-weight babies (under 5.5 pounds), increasing risk

of

digestive, respiratory

, vision, cognitive, and other problems.Slide43

Teen Pregnancy

…

Children

of teen parents have:

Poorer cognitive and educational outcomes, such as a lower likelihood of completing high school and lower test

scores; more

behavioral problems, including higher levels of fighting, delinquency, and early sexual experience;

a

nd poorer

health outcomes, such as a low birth weight

. They are not being raised by mature adults with experience in good decision-making.

Statistically, adolescents

who have a baby are less likely to finish high school,

more

likely to be poor as adults, and

more

likely to rely on public assistance than those who do not have a

teen birth. Social circles change, and there is a higher risk of post-partum depression. The majority of adolescent mothers live with one of their parents.Slide44

Teen fathers…

Eight

out of 10 teen dads don’t marry the mother of their child.

Only 1 in 5 mothers receive child support from

a

teen

father, statistically less than $800 annually.

Teen fathers earn 10 to 15 percent less annually

(life-long) than

men who wait to have children.

Teen dads are less likely to finish high school than their peers.

Teen fathers are more likely to get involved with criminal behavior, including alcohol and drug abuse.

Children who don't live with their fathers are five times more likely to be poverty-stricken than children with both parents at home.

Unmarried fathers have

rights and responsibilities concerning custody, visitation and child

support until the child is 18, but they will need to take

legal action to obtain these rights and responsibilities

.Slide45

Adolescent accidents

…

There are almost twice as many deaths in the first year of life than there are in the next 13 years total. Then, the death rate rises rapidly following puberty because of the

top 3 causes of death: deadly

accidents, homicides, and

suicides. Automobile accidents account for the largest number of accidental deaths, followed by drowning, fire, falls, and poisoning.Slide46

Adolescent auto accidents…

Teens

drivers tend

to underestimate dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations

.

Teen drivers

are more

likely

to speed and allow shorter

distances between their car and the one in front of them. Male drivers and the

presence of

teenage

passengers increases the likelihood

of

risky driving

behavior.

Among adolescent male drivers involved in fatal accidents, over 1/3rd are speeding and 1/4

th

have been drinking. Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.Half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight and over half occur on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.Newly licensed drivers are at a higher risk among teen drivers.Slide47

Adolescent accidents

…

Adolescents may be more accident prone. This could be a physical, emotional, or social issue. Influential factors:

Teens tend to be impulsive, stressed, and easily distracted, which could lead to accidents.

Some are pushing themselves physically, in order to excel in sports, etc. This can lead to poor judgment, over-extending themselves, and sports injuries.

S

ome teens deal with growth spurts that leave them feeling clumsy and uncoordinated… and prone to accidents.

Adolescents are risk takers.

Adolescents imagine that they are the center of attention, and that everyone is watching them. This causes some teens to take more risks, in order to impress their peers. Slide48

Bullying

…

Bullying

includes harassment, physical harm, repeatedly demeaning speech and efforts to ostracize another person. Bullying is active, and is done with the intention of bringing another person down.

There

are different kinds of bullying:

Physical bullying

: domination by

kicking, punching and other physically harmful activities, designed to instill fear

or

coerce

the victim

to do something.

Verbal bullying

: using

demeaning language to tear down another's

self-image; teasing, belittling, and using sarcasm to hurt the other person's feelings or humiliate them in front of others. Emotional bullying: often subtle; aimed at getting someone else to feel isolated, alone and depressed. Electronic or cyber bullying: using instant messaging, cell phone text messages and online social networks to humiliate and embarrass others. Slide49

Bullying

…

Nearly

30 percent of teenagers in the U.S. have been involved in bullying, either as a bully or as a victim of

bullying.

Effects of teenage bullying:

Obvious

physical problems and injuries that can result from physical bullying.

Emotional

, verbal and cyber bullying can deeply affect

teens, leading to depression, suicide,

drug

use, isolation,

and

long-term stunted

social development.

In

some cases, bullied teens have

violently reacted to their tormentors in retaliation. Slide50

Bullying

…

Why

Do People Bully?

In a culture

fascinated with winning, power, and

violence, bullying is an acceptable way of getting what you want.

If

the

home

, the school, or

the workplace

does not have high standards for the way people treat each other, then bullying may be more

likely.

Mass media promotes a lack of personal and social skills, and turns them into comedy and reality TV.

Home environments that are not warm and loving, that don’t encourage sharing of feelings, or one in which discipline

and monitoring are inconsistent

are perfect for raising bullies.

Children who experience social rejection or academic failure themselves are more likely to "pass it on" to others. Some people bully others to have power. Slide51

Adolescents holding jobs

…

Many youth begin paid employment by age 12 in their own neighborhoods, shoveling snow, mowing yards, babysitting, and doing odd jobs. By age 16 they may have more formal jobs, working in fast food restaurants, in retail and service sectors, and grocery stores.

Researchers across disciplines have studied adolescent employment, including psychologists, sociologists, and economists. There appears to be pros and cons to that employment.

Youth themselves report that employment is good for them, citing the acceptance of responsibility, development of time-management skills, overcoming shyness with adults, and handling money. Employment makes them feel more like adults. Slide52

Adolescents holding jobs

…

Parents appear to support the idea of their adolescent children holding jobs. While the minority of teens give their earnings directly to their parents, they do use their money for clothes, food, gas, music, and more expensive leisure activities. Some save a portion of their earnings for larger purchases or college. In the long run, they do help their family economics by financing some of their own needs and activities.

Critics of adolescents holding jobs point out the fact that teens working long hours at a job tend

to

have lower

school performance, lower career aspirations, are less likely to go to college, associate at work with adults in entry level jobs who might not value education, drink

and smoke more, and exhibit more behavioral problems. Slide53

Adolescents holding jobs

…

Educators complain that teens often work too many hours at jobs. They come to school tired, have poorer academic performance, don’t have enough time for homework or to meet with teachers after school for extra help, have higher absenteeism and dropout rates, and avoid extracurricular activities.

The key to successful teen employment appears to be a healthy balance between school, work, and family, as well as money management advice, including the importance of saving.

Teens entering adolescence and high school with strong academic interests and goals tend to work fewer hours than those who express less interest in school and school activities. These students tend to be from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, and schedule work around school, extracurricular activities, and family events. Slide54

Body art…

One of the most visible signs of changing cultural norms

for

today's adolescents has been the movement of

body

art into the mainstream. Once considered a mark of a rebel or outcast, tattoos and numerous body piercings have become very common, almost a rite of passage for teenagers.

The adolescent concepts of ‘personal fable’ and ‘imaginary audience’ are strongly supported by a teen’s expression through

body art. Teens

use body art for social bonding with a peer group, identity formation, or to commemorate a friend or loved one. They view tattoos and body piercings as true beautification. Slide55

Body art…

Body art has some correlation to

at-risk

teens,

with some studies reporting a significant relationship between piercing and substance abuse

.

Other studies of high school youth have found that tattooing was significantly

associated

with other high-risk behaviors, including sexual intercourse, binge drinking, smoking, marijuana use, gang membership, truancy, and school

failure. Among college students, this frequency of high-risk behavior did not exist.

Since adolescent brain development involving judgment, decision-making, and understanding of consequences may not yet be fully developed, teens may not understand that some careers/professions would not be suited to visible body art. It could stand in the way of some jobs or honors.Slide56

Body art…

Piercing, tattooing, and

guaging

can

cause a variety of adverse reactions, depending on body part. Tongue piercing may cause damage to teeth and gums, including dental fractures and changes in mastication and speech. Permanent nerve damage can occur with piercing of any body part, as can scarring, rejection,

and

possible keloid formation. The possibility for transmission of hepatitis and HIV

also exists

.

Another form of body art is

"gauging," which is the insertion of progressively larger circular discs into the

pinna of the ear,

resulting in a larger and larger opening that can be filled with objects ranging from corks to coins.Slide57

Ethnic and racial identity…

In 1992, Jean S.

Phinney

developed the 3-stage theory of ethnic development:

1. Unexamined ethnic identity – characterized by a lack of interest or exploration; general acceptance of others opinions

2. Ethnic identity search – starts to think about, research, and develop an ethnic identity, often due to a harsh or indirect event

3. Ethnic identity achievement – individuals have a clear sense of their ethnic identity, and can navigate their bicultural identity

The adolescent compares themselves to others in and out of their peer groups, and discover their similarities and differences. Ethnic identity represents the values of the culture, ethnic, or racial group to which the person belongs. A minority teen may find their ethnic standards and values contradict those of majority peers. Slide58

Ethnic and racial identity…

Teenagers who are members of ethnic/racial minorities are the most vulnerable to cultural conflicts.

They may be ‘stereotyped’: a widely-held but over-simplified image or idea of a particular type of person.

They may be the target of ‘prejudice’: a preconceived opinion or bias that is not based on reason, fact, or actual experience.

They may experience ‘discrimination’: unjust

or prejudicial treatment of

various

categories of people

on the grounds of

ethnic background, race

, age, or sex

.Slide59

Ethnic and racial identity…

Ethnic identity refers to ‘country of origin’, religious origin, where your ancestors lived, etc. Examples: American, Canadian, German, Irish, Chinese, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc.

Racial identity may be the same as ethnic identity, but includes definite phenotypes: observable characteristics of an individual, such as skin color, hair type and color, eye shape, etc. Examples: Black, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, etc.

Children become aware of their ethnic/racial differences, but maturing adolescents express

pride in their heritage and

comfort in their

sense of belonging to

a group. An acceptance and appreciation of diversity and all cultural differences is the key to avoiding conflict and being respectful of all people as individuals. Slide60

Sexual orientation…

Sexual orientation is part of the identity ‘crisis’ of adolescence, and is a term frequently

used to describe a person’s romantic, emotional or sexual attraction to another person. A person attracted to another person of the same sex is said to have a homosexual orientation and may be called gay (both men and women) or lesbian. Individuals attracted to persons of the other sex are said to have a heterosexual orientation.

Individuals

who are attracted to both men and women are said to be bisexual.

Same

sex behavior has always

existed; it is not a mental illness. Reasons for it are still unknown. Sexual

orientation

does develop

across a person’s lifetime. Individuals maybe become aware at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.Slide61

Sexual orientation…

“Coming out” is the term used to describe

the

experience in which a person

identifies

himself or herself as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Fears and misunderstandings about

homosexuality

present

challenges

to the development and maintenance of a

positive self-image

in gay,

lesbian

and bisexual

persons

and often to

their

families as well. “Homophobia” is a term

that refers to the irrational fear and prejudice against homosexual persons. Hate crimes are prevalent. Gay and lesbian adolescents are often taunted and humiliated in their school settings. Many professional persons and employees in all occupations are still fearful of identifying as gay or lesbians in their work settings. Some states are now legally recognizing gay rights and marriages. Slide62

Appearance…

The concepts of egocentrism and imaginary audience may be illustrated best by an adolescent’s appearance. The teenager is very conscious of how others view them. They believe they are on display for everyone to see. It is important that they dress and groom themselves in a manner acceptable to their peer group.

In

a typical

week,

the average

adolescent spends more than 40 hours with some

form of

mass

media. As they are confronted

with

bombarded with

the stylish and popular

cultural

icons, the adolescent struggles to establish their OWN style and identity. They revise their look to duplicate the ideal appearance they and their peer group admire. It is important to them to appear ‘up to date’ with fashion trends or to be deliberately ‘retro’, not old-fashioned.Slide63

Appearance…

Adolescent choices in appearance might include:

Clothing fashions

Accessories

Hair styles

Nail art

Body art

Shoe styles

Cosmetics

Skin tones, etc.Slide64

Adolescent Challenges

The End