This is an example of the type of Responses the instructor wants for this assignment.
Teenagers go through varied physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. In todays society, these adolescents face a range of developmental issues.
Adolescent Development
Teenagers go through varied physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. In todays society, these adolescents face a range of developmental issues. Utilizing your learning from your readings and the South University Online Library, respond to the following questions.
1. In your opinion, what are the two most important factors that influence adolescent development?
Over the previous 20 years, research reveals a wide array of factors that may influence adolescent development. Throughout this time span, changes have occurred in the factors that influence adolescent development, sexual activity, decision making, and contraception which might include the following.
One of the initial studies by researchers suggested that biological, family, peer, school, and community factors influence adolescent development and the age of initiation of sexual intercourse.
Further research in this area of study purposed that cultural factors, sexual desire, media, biological factors, emotional factors, social cognitive factors, and environmental factors (peers and parents) influence adolescent development, sexual well-being, and sexual behavior (Commendador, 2010, pp. 147-148).
2. In the Western culture, there are a variety of health services available for adolescents. What is missing in Western society that would benefit health promotion for adolescents?
Many healthcare providers and family planning clinics do not address adolescent sexuality until the adolescent is old enough to become a patient in these clinics. Perhaps discussion of sexuality and sexual decision making should be incorporated in the education system, as well as is part of the pediatric healthcare providers educational practice and pediatric clinics serving older school age children. Discussion between nurse practitioners (NPs), parents, sons, and daughters could foster interchange around sexuality, such as pubertal development, changing body, decision making as to sexual activity, and contraception (Commendador, 2010, p. 150).
3. How do the health problems faced by adolescents impact their health and wellness in their lifetimes?
Although the impact of health problems on an adolescent and his or her family varies by diagnosis and severity, chronic conditions, by definition, last longer than three months, alter activities of daily living, and often require significant medical care (Jacobs & Popick, 2012, p. 228). Health problems faced by adolescents may impact their health and wellness in their lifetimes in the following ways.
Adolescents with chronic conditions may experience mental health and behavior problems due to challenges related to peer socialization and body image, altered peer/family relationships, missed school, regression in development, pain, physical limitations, and modified routines.
In the absence of effective coping skills and supportive peer relationships, these challenges can lead to participation in risky behaviors, including unprotected sex and substance abuse, which can have immediate and long-term consequences on an adolescents health. These behaviors may compound the already existing risk of complications from the chronic condition.
The challenges of living with a chronic condition extend beyond the adolescents themselves. Families of adolescents with chronic conditions may struggle to understand and manage the additional stressors of condition management, caretaking, and modified routine (Jacobs & Popick, 2012, p. 228).
Note. One way pediatric providers and NPs can address the needs of the adolescent and family is to recommend reputable online health resources for social support suited to the specific needs of the adolescent and family, such as blogs, discussion boards, and other social networking modalities (Jacobs & Popick, 2012, p. 228).
4. Discuss how you would take the sexual history from an adolescent. Which areas would you need to address during your discussion with an adolescent?
Some NPs prefer to see the family and adolescent together first. This technique can produce a great deal of information in the first few minutes regarding medical concerns and family dynamics. Another straightforward technique is to start by interviewing the adolescent alone, which is particularly important for older adolescents. At some point, the family may be brought into the interview; however, the adolescent should be present to hear what is being said (Woods & Neinstein, 2009, p. 18).
