The impact of early and late adolescence on emotional development

By: Sofía Lodovichi 

Adolescence is crucial for consolidating an identity, as the brain completely changes and remodels itself and generates new connections. However, this stage has different phases: early adolescence (10-14 years) and late adolescence (15-19 years). Do these stages influence adolescents' lives? More importantly, do they impact their emotional development? 

Early adolescence 

As we mentioned, early adolescence occurs between the ages of 10 and 14, when various changes begin to occur due to the action of the neuroendocrine system, especially the activation of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. This stimulates the production and action of sex hormones, which causes transformations in both men and women (Castillerio, 2018). These changes are not only physical but also affect emotions and self-perception. 

One of the most relevant factors at this stage is social acceptance. Adolescents depend more on peer approval, which can cause anxiety and low self-esteem in cases of rejection (Blakemore & Mills, 2014). Likewise, they begin to distance themselves from their parents and exhibit changes in behavior and mood, which can lead to a sense of emotional emptiness and, in some cases, a decline in academic performance (Rubio, 2021). 

At the neurological level, the uneven development of the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex explains many of these intense emotional responses and the difficulty of regulating them (Steinberg, 2017). The amygdala, which is responsible for emotions, develops faster than the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for

decision-making and self-control. This desynchronization makes adolescents more impulsive and makes them have difficulty managing their emotions effectively. 

Late adolescence 

On the other hand, late adolescence occurs between the ages of 15 and 19. This phase is characterized by the maturation of the frontal lobe, which improves emotional self-regulation and allows young people to make more rational decisions and better control their impulses (Casey, 2015). 

Moreover, at this stage, adolescents delve deeper into the exploration of their identity and achieve better management of their interpersonal relationships. They begin to focus on their future and life expectations, which can generate strong idealism and illusion, but also uncertainty, anxiety, and mental health problems in some cases. Although they may still experience emotional conflicts, their ability to cope with them effectively improves over time. 

Conclusion 

Emotional development varies significantly between early and late adolescence due to brain maturation, social influence, and the search for identity. While the first phase is characterized by greater emotional reactivity and dependence on social validation, 

the second allows for better emotional regulation and autonomy. Understanding these differences is fundamental to supporting the healthy development of adolescents and helping them face the emotional challenges specific to each stage. 

Bibliography 

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Stress and the adolescent brain: Amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuitry and ventral striatum as developmental targets - ScienceDirect

● Casey, B. J. (2015). Beyond simple models of self-control to circuit-based accounts of adolescent behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 295-319. Retrieved from Annual Reviews. 

Beyond Simple Models of Self-Control to Circuit-Based Accounts of Adolescent Behavior | Annual Reviews 

● Castillerio, G. (2018). Neuroendocrinología de la pubertad: mecanismos, regulación y efectos en el desarrollo. Revista de Neurociencia y Psicología, Retrieved from Adolescencia tardía: Qué es y características físicas y psicológicas. 

Adolescencia tardía: qué es y características físicas y psicológicas 

● Rubio, C. (2021). Desarrollo emocional en la adolescencia temprana: Factores de riesgo y protección. Revista de Psicología y Educación, Retrieved from La etapa de la adolescencia – SEPEAP. 

La etapa de la adolescencia – SEPEAP 

● Steinberg, L. (2017). Adolescence. McGraw-Hill Education. 

● UNICEF Uruguay. (n.d.). What is adolescence? Retrieved from ¿Qué es la adolescencia? 

¿Qué es la adolescencia? | UNICEF 

● Healthy Children. (n.d.). Stages of Adolescence. Retrieved from Etapas de la adolescencia - HealthyChildren.org. 

Etapas de la adolescencia - HealthyChildren.org