Problems in adolescence

-in general adolescence do not develop serious psychological or social problems, contrary to media portrayals -most problems reflect transitory experimentation, not enduring patters of bad behavior -not all problems begin in adolescence (some have their roots in childhood) -most problems do not persist into adulthood (especially drug and alcohol use, unemployment, and delinquency) -problems during adolescence are not caused by adolescence (\"raging hormones\") do not cause problem behaviors

-onset of puberty -biological changes in brain -new stresses but no over arching storm and stress. nature of stresses may change -contextual factors -physiological systems -presence of peers increases adolescent risk-taking

-remodeling of dopamine receptor (developmental mismatch)- arousal and appetite regulation that affect motivational and emotional systems. associated with increase in risk taking and reward sensitivity -synaptic pruning- FTWT -myelination- increases white matter, speed -strengthened connections btw PFC and limbic area, brings judgement

-greater autonomy from parents -more affiliations with peers -romantic relationships

Not HPG- puberty -mediates hormonal stress response, produces cortisol -prolonged exposure to stress is related with development of psychopathology -and with life course health problems -stressors experience during ado may lead to long term changes in HPA reactivity -stress deregulation can start with adversity in early life (ELA) -- person would see everything as a threat (always on, methylation of glucocorticoid receptor, unable to tell system to stop producing cortisol) more likely to internalize or externalize responses

-peer interactions are highly rewarded, shown in brain scans associated with reward sensitivity -peers heightens sensitivity to rewarding value of risky decisions, here in a task for simulated risky driving -- adolescence when in presence of peers will more likely make risky decisions -- concern about maintaining position in peer group comes into play

-internalizing disorders- problems are turned inward (emotional and cognitive distress) -externalizing disorder problems are turned outward (behavioral problems) Note: within internalizing and externalizing, prodromal diagnosis are used, don't necessarily meet diagnostic standards of DSM but symptoms are there -substance abuse problems tend to be externalizing problems as seen by society/adults, but may result from internalizing sources as forms of self-medication -health problems during adolescence are most related to behavioral misadventure

-nearly half of all adolescent report difficulty in coping with stressful situations at home or at school -internalizing behaviors: anxiety, phobias, eating problems, depression -externalizing: impulsivity, violence, aggression, depression -stress does not always lead to negative outcomes; it's a needed system to get by. its the deregulations that problematic

(statistical outliers) wha is it about them that enables this? a surrogate relationship that provides nurturance a trait- something makes this person exceptional at facing stress

prime time for intervention as well, for same reasons of neuroplacticity and greater accessibility to new situations. -good social interactions give you serotonin and oxytocin which help regulate stress control mindfulness- let your cognitive resources take control. ability to practice mindfulness increases in adoelscence

society sends a mixed message to youth -TV programs \"just say no\" -TV football programs and situation comedies-- having fun is impossible w/o alcohol alcohol and cigarettes are by far the most commonly used and abused substance, according to monitoring the future data At Michigan: the most popular use of prescription drugs and ADHD

-nicotine receptors upregulated -adolescent nicotine exposure has differentially strong effects on serotonergic system, dopaminergic system and cognitive function -increases responsivity to the drugs (ex: cocain) -relationship to depression, other substance use/abuse and duration of nicotine addiction

Aggression- behavior that is done intentionally to hurt someone -physical fighting, relational aggression, intimidation -can be instrumental (planned or reactive-unplanned) -usually declines over the course of childhood and adolescence -more males are physically aggressive than females, but~18 reach same low aggression

violent crimes: increase in frequency between preado and ado yrs. peak during HS then decline in young ado. status offenses- behaviors that are not agains the law for adults (truancy, running away, drinking) antisocial behavior takes the form of: -authority conflicts (running away) -covert antisocial behavior (stealing) -overt antisocial behavior (attacking someone with a weapon) most serious delinquency begins between ages 13 and 16

theres no problem for those around internalizing behaviors

1) life course persistent offenders -demonstrate antisocial behavior before ado -are involved in delinquency during ado -are at great risk for continuing criminal activity in adulthood 2) adolescent- limited offenders -engage in antisocial behavior during adolescence These two types have very different causes and consequences

-usually poor male, perform poorly in school -from disorganized families with hostile or inept parents -- harsh parenting may affect brain chemistry (cortisol up, serotonin down) -- worse behavior elicits more bad parenting, leads to a vicious cycle -- have histories of aggression identifiable as early as age 8 -- initial involvement with justice system leads to further involvement have problems with self regulation -- more likely than peers to suffer from ADHD exhibit hostile attributional bias, interpret ambiguous interaction with others as deliberately hostile and retaliate

do not usually show signs of psychological problems or family pathology still show more problems that teens who are not all delinquent: more mental health , substance use, and financial problems risk factors: -- poor parenting (especially poor monitoring) -- affiliation with antisocial peers (rarely solo activity) -- hostile attributional bias

depression is the most common psychological disturbance among adolescents -emotional symptoms- dejection, decreased enjoyment of pleasurable activities, low self esteem -cognitive symptoms of pessimism and hopelessness -motivational symptoms- apathy boredom physical symptoms- loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, loss of energy none have been identified as the sole originating cause

before adolescence, boys are slightly more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms after puberty, females are likely to be depressed. causes may be: -gender roles, pressure to act passive, fragile, dependent -greater levels of stress during early adolescence -ruminating more- turning feelings inward- increases cortisol, reduces sleep, increases risk for depression (perfect storm) -greater sensitivity to others (oxytocin) evidence to support all of the above

~20 % of high school students think about killing themselves every year (suicidal ideation) risk factors include: -having psychiatric problems -having a family history of suicide (genetically higher than depression) -experiencing extreme family conflict -being under intense stress suicide rate is highest among American indian and Alaska native adolescents if someone is thinking about it... take it seriously

depression occurs when people with a predisposition (a diathesis) toward internalizing problems are exposed to chronic or acute stressors (a stress), those without the diathesis are able to withstand a great deal of stress without developing psychological problems. the diathesis: may be biological in origin, (neuroendocrine sculpting, epigenetic, or genetically linked), or because of cognitive style (ruminating) the stress- primarily from having a high-conflict family, being unpopular (social isolation), or reporting more chronic acute stressors

treatment approaches: -biological therapies- antidepressant medications (SSRIs) that address the neuroendocrine problems that may exist -- be careful when stopping, suicidal ideation and attempts increase in adolescents in this period -psychotherapies- designed to help adolescents understand the roots of their depression or change in their cognitions family therapy- changing patterns of family relationships that contribute to symptoms universal programming, targeted programing, clinical programing

-primary (universal programing) prevention- teaching adolescents life skills to help them cope with stress. something everyone can benefit from -- people are arguing there should be a more body-mind education secondary prevention- aimed at adolescents who are at risk for depression or are under stress. more expensive treatment- limited effectiveness, the person is already in the cycle.

-multiple stressors have a much greater impact than single stressors (multiplicative) -resources such as internal and external factors buffer adolescents from effects of stress -- high self-esteem, healthy identity development, high intelligence, or strong feelings of competence -- social support -using more effective coping strategies also buffers the source or stress -- Primary control: taking steps to change the source of stress (usually the best way strategy): \"Problem focus coping\" ex: make a plan, reduce uncertainty -- secondary control strategies: trying to adapt to the problem (better when situation is uncontrollable): emotion focused coping ex: go out drinking to relax. doesn't change source of unfinished studying.This is helpful with marital conflict, you can't change their behavior, but you can remove yourself from situation

higher sensation seeking and risk taking is normative developmental maturity mismatch (DMM) hypothesisL fast early limbic system, lower, later PFC mid to later adp is highest risk period, tapering off in early adulthood risks include: -- immediate harm (injuries, fatalities) -- illness (STDs) -- enduring (addiction)