Adolescence is a transition period from child to adult. During this period, many changes occur in teenagers, both physically, psychologically and socially. Teenagers must face challenges and pressure from their surrounding environment, such as school, family, friends and society. Teenagers also have to find their identity and determine the direction of their lives in the future.
Important Aspects in Adolescent Development
Adolescent development is a complex and dynamic process that involves various important aspects, such as personality, self-esteem, social support, and coping strategies. The following is a more detailed explanation of each of these aspects:
Personality
It is a typical and stable pattern of behavior, thoughts and emotions in a person. Adolescent personality is influenced by biological, psychological and social factors. Biological factors include hormonal, brain and body changes that occur during puberty. Psychological factors include cognitive, moral and emotional development which allows teenagers to think more abstractly, logically and reflectively.
Social factors include the influence of family, peers, school, media and culture which provide norms, values and expectations to teenagers. Adolescents experience physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that affect the way they see themselves and the world. Adolescents are also searching for their identity and exploring various social roles. Adolescents' personalities can change as they develop, but they also have fixed characteristics.
Pride
A person's assessment of himself, both positive and negative. Adolescents' self-esteem is influenced by internal factors, such as abilities, achievements, and values, and external factors, such as feedback, expectations, and support from others.
Internal factors relate to how adolescents assess their strengths and weaknesses in various areas, such as academic, social, physical, or artistic. External factors relate to how teenagers feel accepted, appreciated, and supported by other people who are important to them, such as parents, peers, teachers, or idols.
Adolescents' self-esteem can fluctuate with their situations and experiences. High self-esteem can increase adolescents' self-confidence, motivation and well-being, while low self-esteem can lead to feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy and unhappiness.
Social support
Is help or resources provided by other people to someone in facing difficulties or challenges. Adolescents' social support can come from family, peers, teachers, or other people who are important to them.
Adolescent social support can take the form of emotional support (e.g. providing sympathy, understanding, or praise), instrumental support (e.g. providing material assistance, information, or advice), or affiliative support (e.g. providing opportunities to interact, join in, or share).
Adolescents' social support can help them cope with stress, improve self-esteem, and promote physical and mental health. Adolescents' social support can also shape their social networks that provide a sense of togetherness, trust, and involvement.
Coping strategies
The ways a person uses to manage stress or the problems they face. Adolescent coping strategies can be adaptive (e.g. seeking solutions, changing perceptions, or seeking support) or maladaptive (e.g. denial, blaming self or others, or avoidance).
Adolescents' coping strategies are influenced by individual factors (such as personality, self-esteem, and abilities), situational factors (such as the type, intensity, and duration of stress), and environmental factors (such as social support and resources). Effective coping strategies can help adolescents reduce the negative impact of stress and improve self-adjustment. Ineffective coping strategies can exacerbate problems and have negative consequences for adolescents' physical and mental health.
How to Adapt to the Changes That Occur
Good adjustment to the changes that occur in adolescents and the environment can be done in the following ways:
Accept yourself
Teenagers must accept and appreciate themselves with all the advantages and disadvantages they have. Teenagers do not need to feel inferior or embarrassed by the changes that occur in their bodies, such as hair growth, acne, voice or body shape.
Teenagers also do not need to compare themselves with other people or follow the standards of beauty or good looks set by the media or the environment. Teenagers must believe that they are unique and valuable. By accepting themselves, teenagers will feel more confident and comfortable with their identity.
Maintain health
Teenagers must maintain their physical and mental health in healthy ways, such as eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, avoiding smoking, alcohol, drugs and risky sexual behavior. Teenagers must also maintain their mental health in positive ways, such as optimistic thinking, gratitude, prayer, meditation, or counseling if they experience psychological problems. By maintaining health, teenagers will feel fitter and happier.
Searching for information
Teenagers must seek accurate and relevant information about the changes that occur in themselves and their environment. Teenagers can seek information from trusted sources, such as parents, teachers, doctors, counselors, books, the internet, or other media. Teenagers must be critical and selective in receiving information and not easily influenced by false or misleading information. By seeking information, teenagers will better understand and be ready to face these changes.
Foster social relationships
Teenagers must develop harmonious social relationships with the people around them, such as family, peers, teachers, neighbors or the community. Teenagers must respect and appreciate the differences that exist between them and not discriminate or intimidate. Teenagers must be cooperative and communicative in interacting with other people and not close themselves off or be alone. Teenagers must also choose good and positive friends who can provide support and motivation.
By cultivating social relationships, teenagers will feel more connected and have a sense of togetherness. – Developing personal potential. Teenagers must develop their own potential in creative and productive ways. Teenagers can explore their interests and talents in their favorite fields, such as arts, sports, academics, organizations, or others. Teenagers can also take part in useful and fun activities, such as courses, training, community, volunteering, or hobbies. Teenagers must set their life goals and try to achieve them diligently and never give up. By developing their own potential, teenagers will feel more accomplished and meaningful.
Adolescent adjustment is a dynamic and continuous process. Good adolescent self-adjustment can help adolescents achieve psychological well-being and personal maturity. Poor adolescent adjustment can cause adolescents to experience various psychological and social problems, such as stress, depression, anxiety, deviant behavior, or identity disorders.
Therefore, adolescents' adjustment needs to receive attention and support from people who play an important role in their lives, such as parents, teachers, peers and the community.
