ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND THE EMERGENCE OF SEXUALITY

Adolescence is a time of significant opportunity and significant chall enge. Challenges can be difficult for some adolescents, which may resu lt in problems that are expressed as affective disturbances or by the adolescent's participation in risk-taking behaviors. This review empha sizes the changes in biopsychosocial development, during adolescence. We specifically address aspects of individual change during the adoles cent decade (e.g., biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and sexual dev elopment) as well as the effects of context on normal development and responses to challenges during this period. Predispositions or vulnera bilities present prior to a developmental transition may be exacerbate d by the transition. Adolescents can become healthy adults with the en couragement to develop gradually by limiting the simultaneous changes they experience, where possible, and by supporting healthy development through developmentally appropriate activities and supportive relatio nships with adults and peers.