Adolescence
Adolescence is the developmental period between childhood and adulthood, marked by puberty and changing cognitive, emotional, and social capacities.
Adolescent brain development: Adolescent brain development is the remodeling of neural circuits during the transition toward adult patterns of function. Changes in brain systems help explain shifts in planning, emotion, and sensitivity to rewards.
Child development: Child development is the study of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social change from birth through childhood. Adolescence extends developmental processes already underway in childhood.
Puberty: Puberty is the process of physical maturation that enables sexual reproduction. Puberty is biological; adolescence also includes psychological and social transitions.
Adolescent health: Adolescent health concerns physical, mental, and social well-being during the adolescent years. Developmental changes create distinctive health needs and opportunities for prevention.
Executive function: Executive function comprises mental processes that support planning, attention, working memory, and self-control. These capacities continue developing during adolescence and influence decisions and goal pursuit.
Developmental psychology: Developmental psychology studies how people change across the lifespan. It provides the framework for comparing adolescent change with development at other ages.
Emerging adulthood: Emerging adulthood is a proposed life stage, often placed from the late teens through the twenties, between adolescence and settled adult roles. It names transitions that may continue after adolescence, especially in societies with later adult milestones.
Adolescent mental health: Adolescent mental health concerns emotional well-being and mental disorders during adolescence. Many mental health conditions first emerge during this period of rapid change.
Sleep in adolescents: Sleep in adolescents is shaped by developmental changes in circadian timing and sleep need. A later biological sleep schedule often conflicts with early school start times.
Identity formation: Identity formation is the process of developing a coherent sense of self, values, and social belonging. Exploring identity becomes a prominent task as adolescents gain new roles and choices.