When working with adolescents in educational contexts, it is important to understand the physical, socio-emotional, and psychological changes they experience, so as to effectively meet their needs and

When working with adolescents in educational contexts, it is important to understand the physical, socio-emotional, and psychological changes they experience, so as to effectively meet their needs and help them to focus their attention on their academics. For instance, a young adolescent girl, who experiences peer harassment at school, due to her quickly developing body, might have lower self-esteem, a disliking for school, and low academic motivation. As an educator, you will have to address what is happening with the young woman, in order to focus her attention on her studies. Ignoring her issues will not increase her academic motivation. Therefore, as educators, it is crucial to understand what occurs during the adolescent stage in order to better assist students in their studies. For this assignment, you will

(a) identify 2-3 issues that adolescents might experience during puberty (e.g., peer pressure to engage in risky behavior)

(b) describe how these issues might impact adolescents: 

●      Physical health

●      Psychological adjustment (mental health)

●      Academic achievement

You will also (c ) describe how you, as an educator, will effectively address these changes to promote students’ healthy development and school functioning.

Submit a paper which is 4-5 pages in length exclusive of the reference page, double-spaced using 12 point Times New Roman Font. The paper must cite at least 2-3 sources (References below) and at leat two from outside sources in APA format and be well-written. Check all content for grammar, spelling and to be sure that you have properly cited all resources (in APA format) used.

Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a free website that provides excellent information and resources for understanding and using the APA format and style. The OWL website can be accessed here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Papers will be assessed using this rubrics.  https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1405887/mod_workshop/instructauthors/Unit%202%20Written%20Assignment%20Rubric.pdf

References

1. de Vries, A.L., Steensma, T.D., Doreleijers, T.A., & Cohen-Kettenis, P.T. (2011). Puberty suppression in adolescents with gender identity disorder: A prospective follow-up study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8, 2276-2283.  http://www.pinktherapy.com/portals/0/CourseResources/de_Vries_Puberty_Suppression_in_Adolescents_with_GD.pdf

• Given our current discussions on gender identity, this article compares psychological functioning and gender dysphoria before and after puberty suppression in gender dysphoric adolescents.

2. Graber J. A.,  Seeley, J. R., Brooks-Gunn, J., & Lewinsohn, P. M. (2004). Is pubertal timing associated with psychopathology in young adulthood? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 718–726.  

http://faculty.weber.edu/eamsel/Classes/Child%203000/Adolescent%20Risk%20taking/Lectures/3-4%20Biological/Biology%20II/Garber%20et%20al.,%20(2004).pdf

• This research presented here examined whether the timing of puberty continued to be associated with experiences of psychopathology (symptoms and disorders) from mid-adolescence into young adulthood.

3. Parent, A. S., Teilmann, G., Juul, A., Skakkebaek, N. E., Toppari, J., & Bourguignon, J.P. (2003). The timing of normal puberty and the age limits of sexual precocity variations around the world, secular trends and changes after migration. Endocrine Reviews 24(5), p.668 – 693. https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/76074/1/Endocrine%20Rev%202003.pdf

• This research article discusses the onset of puberty for children who have migrated to Western European Countries.

4. Sisk, C. L., & Zehr, J. L. (2005). Pubertal hormones organize the adolescent brain and behavior. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 26, 163–174. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.322.1683&rep=rep1&type=pdf or download the PDF.

• This article discusses how adolescents' changing hormonal system impacts their nervous system and how this interaction effects later adult functioning and sexual behavior.