What continues through adolescence affecting the brain’s gray and white matter?
The combination of myelination and neural pruning
By the end of adolescence, the proportion of gray matter decreases compared to white matter.
What are the areas of activities and participation described by the ICF?
- Learning and applying knowledge
- General tasks and demands
- Communication
- Mobility
- Self-care
- Domestic life
- Interpersonal interactions and relationships
- Major life areas
- Community, social, and civic life
Adapted from World Health Organization, 2001.
What skills are included in process skills for adolescents?
- Finding solutions to situations
- Identifying issues
- Developing options and solutions
- Evaluating potential effects of solutions
- Executing a chosen solution
These skills help adolescents choose the right tools and effectively use them for tasks.
What is semantic memory?
The memory of concept and word meanings, involving the recollection of facts and general knowledge about the world
It allows adolescents to learn about new concepts by applying prior knowledge.
True or False: Adolescents are less vulnerable to emotional and environmental temptations than adults.
False
Adolescents are more likely to be swayed by their emotions in emotionally charged situations.
What is temporal discounting?
A decision-making pattern in adolescence where individuals focus on immediate rewards rather than long-term consequences
It reflects immature executive functions.
What contributes to identity formation in adolescents?
The establishment of a distinct personality that helps individuals identify their place in society
This is reflected in their growing number of interpersonal interactions.
What are the typical communication skills of adolescents?
- High level of verbal and non-verbal communication
- Responding to social context
- Maintaining appropriate conversational distance
- Attending to audience feedback
These skills include using gestures, eye contact, and turn-taking in conversations.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain.
[prefrontal cortex]
What is the role of the limbic system?
Responsible for emotional life and the formation of memories
It is located just under the cerebral cortex.
What is the peak velocity for growth in height for boys and girls?
- Boys: 13.5 years
- Girls: 11.5 years
This growth spurt lasts 24 to 36 months.
What are some factors associated with off-time pubertal development?
- Emotional distress
- Poor body image
- Higher levels of depression
- Substance abuse
This stress is particularly pronounced in early-developing girls.
What is sleep deprivation associated with?
- Development of mood disorders
- Obesity
- Impaired higher cognitive functions
- Increased risk for traffic accidents
- Substance abuse
It is crucial for adolescents to maintain healthy sleep habits.
What physical changes occur in males during adolescence?
- Broader shoulders
- Straighter hips
- Longer limbs
- Decrease in body fat to an average of 12 percent
These changes are part of normal physical development.
What is the primary function of process skills in adolescents?
To support the expansion into new areas of activities and participation
These skills are tailored to life experience, culture, occupational roles, and resources.
True or False: Females generally experience significant improvements in motor skills after age 15.
False
After age 15, females typically do not see additional improvement unless training for specific skills.
What is the relationship between sleep hygiene and adolescent health?
Good sleep hygiene promotes better mood, cognitive function, and overall health
Strategies include consistent sleep schedules and a conducive sleep environment.
What is motor performance in females during adolescence?
Females make modest developmental gains in their gross and fine motor skills until approximately 15 years of age.
What are some consequences of sleep deprivation?
Mood disorders, obesity, impaired higher cognitive functions, increased risk for traffic accidents, substance abuse.
What external factors drive changes in adolescent sleep patterns?
Academic, social, and extracurricular activities.
How does puberty affect adolescents’ sleep patterns?
It delays the time they start feeling sleepy, often until 12 p.m. or later.
Define obesity in adolescents.
Ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height.
What is resilience?
A person’s ability to cope with stress and adversity.
How does sexual orientation manifest in adolescents?
As an enduring pattern of attraction that may be emotional, romantic, sexual, or a combination.
