The Life Transition Of Adolescence

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The life transition of Adolescence is part of the human development where there are emotional, social and physical changes. It can be defined as the process of self-discovery to reach maturity. This essay will discuss adolescence in regards to concept of self while incorporating Erikson’s theory of psychosocial and Bolwby’s theory of attachment. Additionally predictable and unpredictable life events will be discussed linked to nursing and midwifery practice.

As an individual progresses through from childhood to adolescence, discovery of self is a central in personal development. For this reason, the concept of identity is explored and analysed (Syed & Seiffge-krenke, 2013). Identity refers to sense of self (Steensma, Kreukels, De Vries …show more content…

According to a psychosocial development theory by Erik Erikson, individual experience life through eight stages. In each stage individual must overcome a crisis otherwise fail to reach the next stage at the point of life where they meant to but can overcome crisis later in life. The fifth stage is related to adolescents. At this stage individuals experience identity versus role confusion (Miller-Roser, 2014., Munley, 1975). There is a crisis between desired ideal self and perception of self by others. Efficiently resolving the crisis allows individuals to obtain clear sense of self. If individuals fail to form and be comfortable with their own identity, role confusion is the result (Miller-Roser, 2014., Munley, 1975). Consequently, it is important for adolescents to be allowed to discover themselves without the forceful input, which will only lead to identity crisis (This Emotional Life, 2011). Apart from this, adolescence is a stage of independence. This is due to the fact that it is a journey of self-discovery and personal development. Nonetheless individuals still have an attachment to caregivers as shown by in the theory of attachment by John …show more content…

These include puberty. Puberty is the transition of a child's body to that of an adult (Forbes & Dahl, 2010). It is an important aspect of the adolescent stage of life. Individuals experience puberty at different times. According to Allnut, Gordon & Hillege (2014), puberty involves maturation of genitalia, development of a body hair, voice change and facial hair for boys and menstruation for girls. It is divided into three stages. The first stage involves secondary sex characteristics, which allow differentiate of male and female start to develop. It is called pre-pubescence. The second stage is pubescence where the reproduce organs produce ova and sperm and secondary sex characteristics continue to develop. The last and finial stage is the post pubescence. By this stage secondary sex characteristics development has reached maturity. In addition the reproductive system fully function (Allnut et al., 2014). Although puberty is something every individual experience, gender differentiates the nature of experience. If for example an adolescent who is motherless has begins her menstruation but find the situation difficult and uncomfortable to discuss with her father. With regards to statement 7.7 of the National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2006), a nurse may educate on the normality of the body changes occurring to the young women. As the

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