LATE ADOLESCENCE: What it is, Characteristics and Changes

Adolescence is the vital period that begins with puberty, around the age of 10, and develops through various stages until approximately 19 years of age. It is a period with which we leave childhood and prepare ourselves physically, emotionally and psychologically to enter adult life.

Adolescence contains three stages in its development: early, middle, and late. In this Psychology-Online article we will delve into the last of the stages, we will see what is late adolescence, the characteristics it presents and the changes it entails.

Index

1. Stages of adolescence and ages
2. What is late adolescence
3. Characteristics of late adolescence
4. Physical changes of late adolescence
5. Psychological changes of late adolescence

The adolescence occurs over three stages:

1. Early adolescence: it occurs between 10 and 13 years and in it an imbalance occurs, mainly caused by pubertal changes.
2. Middle adolescence: period between 14 and 17 years old characterized by the adolescent initiating the process of identification with the peer group, which implies the abandonment of the reference criteria established by the figures paternal.
3. Late adolescence: occurs between 17 and 19 years of age and involves a progressive recovery of balance, becoming now as a new person as a result of his process of change and personal creation lived throughout this stage.

The late adolescence it constitutes the last stage in the development of adolescence. It occurs between the ages of 17 and 19 and is a settlement moment of all the changes experienced throughout this vital period. Little by little, the adolescent is recovering the balance lost with the onset of puberty, a result of the acceptance and integration of all physical, emotional and psychological changes lived. This recovery of balance is necessary to start the transition to adult life in a healthy state at all levels. On occasions, entering adulthood with certain unresolved imbalances will be the cause of social maladjustments that will manifest themselves in the medium and long term.

The adolescent, during this stage, manages to create a personal identity (the result of the integration of your previous being with your new and free personal choices), create new social relationships and internalize some moral values and ethics that will determine his progressive entry and functioning in the adult world.

Thought reaches the level of formal operations, which allows it to perform all a series of cognitive operations with which it will evolve in this last stage of adolescent development.

The physical changes produced in adolescence are much more intense during the first stage. In late adolescence, there is a progressive deceleration of growth. In this way, hormonal secretions, growth and body changes (height, weight, mass bone, etc.), the development of organs and systems (sexual maturation, increase of the different organs), etc. they stop their progression due to the maturation achieved.

At this stage, the following changes take place:

• size final height of male adolescents, which can last up to 21 years (in the case of female adolescents, the final height is established during middle adolescence)
• brain development continues to develop, completing its maturation between 25-30 years
• control thrillsl is achieved in this last period of the adolescent
• the acquisition peak of bone mass

The Psychological changes Most prominent in this stage of adolescence occur with respect to: independence, body image, friends and their identity:

• Independence: after the hard process of de-identification with parental values ​​and the possible conflicts that occur during the early and middle stage, these values ​​are re-accepted but from a personal construction site own self.
• Body image: the changes experienced since the beginning of adolescence produce insecurity and comparisons with respect to one's 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 gradually integrates into a group of equals and is in the late stage when their relationships with friends are consolidated and their affective relationships seek more privacy.
• Identity: in the search for their own identity, adolescents have different experiences passing from the world egocentric and fantastic childish to a more abstract and realistic reasoning that allows them to set goals and clear boundaries and internalize own moral, cultural and social values.

This article is merely informative, in 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.

If you want to read more articles similar to Late adolescence: what it is, characteristics and changes, we recommend that you enter our category of Education and study skills.

• Adrián, J., & Rangel, E. (2012). The adolescent transition and education. Learning and development of personality, 1, 1-16.
• Güemes-Hidalgo, M., Ceñal González-Fierro, M. J., & Hidalgo Vicario, M. I. (2017). Development during adolescence. Physical, psychological and social aspects. Comprehensive Pediatrics, 21(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. Recovered from: http://tesis.uson.mx/digital/tesis/docs/21996/capitulo1.pdf