SH1687
Developmental Stages in Middle and Late Adolescence
Adolescence is a developmental transition from childhood to adulthood; it involves biological, cognitive and socioemotional changes. A key task of
adolescence is a preparation for adulthood (Santrock, 2008).
Stages of Healthy Adolescent Development Characteristic Developmental Milestone and Tasks
Early Adolescence (ages 12-14
years)
Physical growth • Puberty - Rapid growth period
• Secondary sexual characteristics
appear
Intellectual/cognition • Concrete thoughts dominate – "here
and now"
• Cause and Effect relationship is
underdeveloped
• Stronger "self" than social
awareness
Autonomy • Challenge authority, family, anti-
parent
• Loneliness
• Wide mood swings
• Things of childhood rejected
• Argumentative and disobedient
Body image • Preoccupation of physical changes
and critical of appearance
• Anxieties about secondary sexual
characteristics changes
• Peers as standards for normal
appearance (comparison of self to
peers)
Peer group • Serves as developmental purpose
• Intense friendship with same sex
• Contact with opposite sex in groups
03 Handout 1
Middle Adolescence (ages 15-16
years)
• Secondary sexual characteristic
advanced
• 95% of adult height reached
• Growth in abstract thoughts; reverts
to concrete thoughts when stressed
• Cause- effect relationship better
understood
• Very self-absorbed
• Conflict with family predominates
due to ambivalence about emerging
independence
• Less concern about physical
changes but more concerned about
personal attractiveness
• Excessive physical activities
alternating with lethargy
• Strong peer allegiances — fad
behaviors
• Sexual drives emerge and teens
begin to explore ability to date and
attract a partner
Late Adolescence (ages 17-19
years)
• Physical maturity and reproductive
leveling off and ending
• Abstract thought established
• Future oriented; able to
understand, plan and pursue long
range goals
• Philosophical and idealistic
• Emancipation: (Vocational/
technical, college and/or work)
• Adult lifestyle
• Usually comfortable with body
image
• Decisions/ values less influenced
by peers
• Relates to individuals more than
group
• Selection of partners based on
individual preference
*Property of STI
Page 1 of 2
 SH1687

Identity development
• "Am I normal?" • Experimentation — sex, drugs, • Pursue realistic vocational goals
• Daydreaming friends, jobs, risk-taking behaviors with training or career employment
• Vocational goals change frequently • Relate to family as adult
• Begin to develop own value system • Realization of own limitations and
• Emerging sexual feelings and mortality
sexual exploration • Establishment of sexual identity
• Imaginary audience and sexual activity is common
• Desire for privacy • Establishment of moral and ethical
• Magnify own problems "no one value system
understands" • More capable of intimate and
complex relationships

Professor Robert Havighurst identified eleven developmental tasks associated with the adolescent transition. Each of the tasks can be seen as
elements of the overall sense of self which they carry with them as they move toward young adulthood.

1. The adolescent must adjust to a new physical sense of self.

2. The adolescent must adjust to new intellectual abilities.
3. The adolescent must adjust to increased cognitive demands at school.
4. The adolescent must develop expanded verbal skills.
5. The adolescent must develop a personal sense of identity.
6. The adolescent must establish adult vocational goals.
7. The adolescent must establish emotional and psychological independence from his or her parents.
8. The adolescent must develop stable and productive peer relationships.
9. The adolescent must learn to manage her or his sexuality.
10. The adolescent must adopt a personal value system.
11. The adolescent must develop increased impulse control and behavioral maturity.

Reference:
Bernabe, G. (2016). Personal development for senior high school. Manila, Philippines: Mindshapers Co., Inc.

03 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 2 of 2