Lesson 4: The

Challenges of
Middle and Late
Adolescence
 “
Dear Light of the World, our Infinite
God, We beseech You this day.
Receive our thanks for all the graces
that endlessly pour us. Our dear
Father, stretch forth Your hand and
place Your spirit In our heart that we
may understand And retain what we
learn and meditate on. Please teach
us, guide and strengthen the thoughts
of our mind and let Your spirit instruct
us to the end. Amen.
 “
Attendance is a must!
 “
○ “Big Talk Activity”
•We’ll start our virtual meeting with a few
minutes of organized “big talk”. Share about
your BIGGEST BATTLE/ CHALLENGE this
year and tell how did you overcome it.
•At the start our meeting, you will be given a
minute to share your story without interruption
or commentary.
•We’ll set aside 5 minutes after that to reflect
from the “big talk” activity.
Behavi – The way you act or choose to act in a situation.
– Behaviors can be healthful, or they can put you or
others at risk.

or • Healthful behaviors
– Behaviors that promote health, prevent injury and
premature death, and improve the quality of the
environment.
– It is more beneficial to your health status to learn and
practice healthful behaviors.
• Risky behaviors – actions that can potentially threaten
your health or the health of others.
• It is important to recognize that you can control most risk
behaviors.
• Risky behavior is one of the most difficult challenges that
you may encounter as adolescent.
• By understanding the risks associated with certain
behaviors, you can make safe and responsible decisions
about which risks to avoid.
  Tobacco smoking and alcohol
Risky use
Behaviours  Illegal substance use
 Unprotected sexual activity
 Sexting (sending nude pictures
and videos)
 Illegal activities like trespassing
or vandalism
 Truancy
 Fighting
 Dangerous driving
 “
○ What causes risky
behaviours?
 Biological and Physical Factors

 Genes
 Puberty
 Hormones Neurodevelopmental
 Brain Change
Development • Pre frontal cortex
• Limbic system
Psychological Factors
FINDING
SENSE OF
IDENTITY

Successful Absence of
formation of concrete self –
identity identity
Healthy academics,
social and Heightened
psychological emotionality
functioning
 Irritability

Heightened Feel Intense

Emotionality lonely sadness

MOODS
WINGS
Frequent
Feel
frustration
scared
s
Dramati
c
behavior
 Psychological Factors

SELF-
CONTROL

Emergence of concerns
become used to regarding drug abuse,
Low computer gaming and
getting what you
conscientiousness other delinquent
want behaviors if not
mastered
Social Factors
 Family
 Peers
 School
 Socioeconomic Status
 Rejection
• Trauma
• Pain response
• Anxiety and stress
• Health and dignity at
risk
• Depression
• Hopeless
• Worthless
• Self blame/ criticism
• Frequent
Frustrations
 “
○Pitfalls and
Challenges of
Adolescents
 Being
addicted to
Computer
Pitfalls and Abusing games Running
away from
Challenges Drugs
home
that
Adolescents
encounter Being
Depressed and Being sexually
Committing promiscuous
Suicide
According to
Kimmel and
Weiner (1995)…
Becoming a
According to teenage parent
Diagnostics and
Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorder…
 According to Kimmel According to Diagnostic
and Weiner (1995) and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorder

Runaways who anticipate to

finding something pleasant at
home return home sooner and
manifest that they are less At least five of the nine
traumatized than those who run symptoms represents a change
away from something in the individual’s functioning
unpleasant such as being
physically hurt or violated at
home
 1. Depressed mood
2. Diminished interest
2 weeks 3. Weight loss
period 4. Insomnia
5. Retardation
6. Less energy or fatigue
7. Feelings of worthlessness
8. Diminished ability to think
9. Recurrent suicidal ideation
 “
○Strategies to Cope
with Challenges
1.Learn to
accept what
you feel.
2. Identify our
Vulnerabilities
 3. Develop your
talents and interests
4. Become more
involved with
others
5. Seek help
when needed