Discussion Questions

Factors that influence adolescent development

During adolescence, individuals go through extensive physical and psychological development. Development at this stage is influenced by a variety of factors that differ from one person to another. Environmental factors, which comprise of peer pressure, is one of the key factors that influence adolescent development. These factors might have either positive or negative consequence on the development of an individual (Bekaert, 2011). The intensity of the need to belong is greater in adolescents as compared to other populations. Therefore, there is a high likelihood of adolescents engaging in risky behaviors to please and be accepted within certain social circles. Eventually, teenagers change their attitude, behavior, beliefs and values to fit in with the principles of a particular group (Merrick, 2014). Psychological factors also have a tremendous impact on the development of adolescents. The psychological factors include cognitive and emotional factors that lead to the teenager behaving in certain ways that either fit in or contradict with the social norms (Merrick, 2016).

Health promotion for adolescents in Western culture

The most important aspect to consider during adolescence is to provide the child with the necessary support for development. In western communities, teens can access a wide range of health services for support during the transition process. However, these services do not provide all the developmental needs of the teenagers. One of the aspects missing in the western would that would benefit adolescent development is the involvement of the community, society, and culture. Several components of adolescent development are more entrenched in culture than in cognitive structures and human biology (Bekaert, 2011). Cultural factors affect a broad range of aspects of an individual’s life. Cultural factors help a person to identify the most appropriate way to handle the independence acquired through adolescence (Bekaert, 2011).

Impact of health problems on adolescents’ health and wellness in their lifetime

Teens are likely to face a myriad of health challenges that can affect their health and wellness. There is a higher tendency of adolescents to engage in risky activities such as alcoholism, tobacco smoking, irresponsible sexual activities, and substance abuse. Children who participate in these activities have unhealthy eating behavior and inadequate exercise that negatively affect their outcome of health (Phelps & Hassed, 2013). These children may also contract sexually transmitted diseases in addition to unplanned pregnancies that negatively affect their lives. Chronic health conditions including cancer, hypertension, obesity, overweight, and HIV have tremendous impacts on the health of adolescents (Phelps & Hassed, 2013).

Case study: Discuss how you would take a sexual history from an adolescent. What are all the areas you would need to address?

Several factors related to the physical and psychological health of adolescents must be put into consideration when talking sexual history of an adolescent. The 5-Ps – Partners, Practices, protection, Past history of STD, and Prevention can be applied to guide the process of taking the sexual history of the adolescent (Bekaert, 2011). Questions on partners should target the number of sexual partners and concurrency of sex. Questions on practices should explore the types of sexual activities the adolescent has been involved. On protection, the nurse should inquire whether the teenager uses a condom and other forms of protection during sexual activities.  The nurse should ask the teenager whether she has ever been diagnosed with an STD as well as whether she has had any pregnancy previously to acquire information concerning the history of STD (Bekaert, 2011). On prevention, the teenager should be asked whether she would like to engage in an honest discussion concerning pregnancy and the use of contraceptives.

Conclusion

Environmental and psychological factors are among the major factors that influence adolescent development. Integration of cultural factors in health services would be appropriate to ensure a holistic support is provided to adolescents during the transition period.

References:

Bekaert, S. (2011). Hot topics in adolescent health: A practical manual for working with young people. London: Radcliffe Pub.

Merrick, J., (2014). Child and adolescent health yearbook. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Incorporated.

Merrick, J., (2016). Child Health and Human Development Yearbook 2015. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Incorporated.

Phelps, K., & Hassed, C. (2013). Adolescent Health & Development: General Practice: The

Integrative Approach Series. London: Elsevier Health Sciences APAC.

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