Development in adolescence

Adolescence is a complex stage of development spanning the gap between childhood and adulthood. It starts with the biological changes of puberty and ends with full maturity but its timing, length and experience is highly culture dependent. In most Western societies, adolescence has become a stage spanning several years leading to independence from the family of origin and is characterized by physical growth, sexual, cognitive and social development. This review highlights the key developmental tasks of adolescence and examines some of the influences within education, the peer group and family influencing healthy outcomes. How young people negotiate their teenage years is highly influential in determining adult adjustment and an understanding of this developmental stage is crucial to the understanding of many adult mental health problems.