PHYSICAL CHANGES AND SEXUAL DECISION-MAKING IN ADOLESCENCE
Adolescence can be a very complex and stressful time as individuals reach physical and sexual maturity and experience the thoughts, reactions, and decisions that come with this maturity. During this stage, adolescents may become interested in more intimate relationships and experimentation. They may begin to understand themselves as sexual beings and may contemplate whether to engage in sex. Many factors influence an adolescent’s sexual decision making, including biological, social, cultural, spiritual, familial, and experiential. In order to assist individuals at this stage, social workers must possess an understanding of this interplay of factors and the ability to cultivate resilience in adolescents.
For this Discussion, you consider the physical changes, associated reactions, and decision-making regarding sexual activity in adolescence.
To prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on biological development in adolescence.
Select one physical change that occurs during adolescence, and consider the psychological responses to this change.
Consider an adolescent’s sexuality and who or what influences their sexual decision-making at this stage.
Main Assignment:
Identify one physical change occurring in adolescence, and explain the potential psychological reactions to that change.
One behavior brought on by physical changes is sexual activity. Analyze one influence on sexual decision-making at this stage (e.g., family, social groups, media).
Reflection: analyzed on different influences on sexual decision-making:
Describe how you as a social worker would help an adolescent client with the influence analyzed by your colleague. Specifically:
oHow could you build resilience to counter a negative influence or support a positive influence?
oHow does the NASW Code of Ethics apply to your work with this adolescent?
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chapter 6, “Biological Development in Adolescence” (pp. 282–319)
National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2014). An overview of adolescent sexual developmentLinks to an external site.. https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2014-01/…
Hegde, A., Chandran, S., & Pattnaik, J. I. (2022). Understanding adolescent sexuality: A developmental perspective. Journal of Psychosexual Health, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318221107598
Ostaszewski, K. (2020). The importance of resilience in adolescent mental health promotion and risk behaviour preventionLinks to an external site.. International Journal of Public Health, 65, 1221–1222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-020-01508-x
Infinite Leader. (2020, October 1). Choice theory by William GlasserLinks to an external site. [Video]. YouTube.
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