LATE ADOLESCENCE: AGE, PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES - PSYCHOLOGY - 2024

The late adolescence is one of the stages of adolescence that between 17 and about 19 years. This stage corresponds to the final stage that marks the end of adolescence and the beginning of early adulthood. Late adolescence is characterized as a more stable period in the adolescent's life.

This is so because the rapid and drastic changes of early and middle adolescence have already passed. Therefore, at this stage there is greater tranquility and adaptation to their new roles. During this stage, the adolescent is expected to have a somewhat clearer life project.

In addition, it is expected that you will put this life project into practice in a concrete way, or that you at least have plans to do so. Depending on the culture, at this time parents are encouraged to become independent, which can mean a time of mourning for parents due to the change in role.

By the end of late adolescence the person should have managed to change the relationship with their parents from a dependent to one that reflects their maturity and responsibilities, in addition to exploring new social and sexual roles.

At this stage, young people are expected to experience close friendships, form their identity at all levels, plan for their future, and take steps to move closer to it.

In addition, there is the development of work skills and values, community, parenthood and citizenship that allow you to make the transition to adult life.

Age at which late adolescence occurs

The approximate age range for late adolescence is between 17 and 19 years. Like early and middle adolescence, these ranges are only approximations.

This stage is the one that depends the most on cultural changes, since the age of completion is marked at the age of majority. For this reason, you can find authors who mention an age range up to 21 years, since in some countries this is the age of legal majority.

From a biological perspective, other authors take into account around 24 or 25 years for the end of adolescence, since it is the age at which maturational changes are still observed in the brain field.

This means that as of late adolescence, adulthood begins, in which the person is recognized as a full member of society with all their duties and rights.

Entry to the world of work or higher studies

Late adolescence usually coincides with important decisions in the adolescent's life, since in many cultures he is expected to make a decision about his future and choose a career of interest, or make the decision to start working life.

Therefore, for this stage there are certain expectations of society towards the adolescent, who expects him to behave as closely as possible to the adult he will soon become.

For this reason, teens this age can feel great pressure and concern about what the future will bring from the choices they make.

Physical changes

At the end of this stage the adolescent has already finished its growth and has reached the physical maturity of an adult.

In principle, if everything developed properly, at this time there should be an acceptance of self-image without much concern for physical appearance.

Of the few signs of maturation that continue to be observed during late adolescence, the process of “reconnection” stands out, which the brain has been carrying out since the beginning of adolescence and which ends around 24 or 25 years of age.

These neurological changes refer to the maturation of the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

Psychological changes

During this stage, changes in the psychological field are consolidated, especially in the social area.

Cognitive changes

During this stage the adolescent has already acquired and established his abstract thinking, and having been exposed to different learning opportunities, he should have reached a hypothetical-deductive thinking.

At this time there is a clear orientation to the future, especially for the construction of the life project. This means that you clearly recognize the consequences of your actions, taking responsibility for them.

The consolidation of cognitive processes has occurred and problem solving should allow you to have the same resources as an adult.

If there has been an adequate management of personal autonomy, the adolescent's cognitive abilities are now applied to activities of daily life, self-care and community participation.

Emotional changes

During this time, identity should already be defined, so their self-image will no longer fluctuate depending on the peer group or other external factors.

The search for partners does not have so much a role of experimentation and exploration, but rather the emotional accompaniment and the bonds between the members of the couple take more strength, so there is more stability in love relationships.

The adolescent at this stage is already capable of setting limits, acting less impulsively, and delaying gratification.

Social changes

At this stage the adolescent is no longer influenced to a great extent by the peer group, which is also accompanied by a selection of friends. Thus, the adolescent begins to have fewer but higher quality friendships.

Something important that happens at this stage is that the adolescent becomes closer to his family (even if there has been physical independence), since he already feels more comfortable with his own identity and the conflicts with the parents will be less.

Family relationships with his parents change, since he is now an adult. In this way, family relationships will also enter a new stage of development.

On the other hand, the adolescent begins to have groups of acquaintances not only linked to education, but also to their work, educational, community activities, etc., which they can now carry out with full autonomy.

At this time, the most lasting love relationships also occur, with a search for intimacy and stability. It seeks to share a long-term life project, forming plans for marriage, children, among others.

References

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