Advertisements: Social Isolation, Online Sexual Behavior, Alcohol Use, Adolescent Epilepsy, and Body Image Concerns Among Early Adolescents.
Interpersonal relationships are the most important developmental tasks that adolescents undergo. For adolescents, the challenges include understanding the values and expectations of the peer group, acquiring new skills for relationship building, developing the ability to trust others, and exploring the impact of self-image on relationships.1 In general, girls mature emotionally and cognitively later than boys. This is especially true during the early adolescent period.2 Specifically, girls typically mature at a slower rate than boys, which has consequences for the development of interpersonal relationships and sexual behavior.3 Because of the gender differences in age of sexual development, sex-specific expectations regarding sexual behavior are in place. The 5th edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classifies age of onset of sexual activity as either early for females (prior to age 13) or late for males (prior to age 16) (APA, 2013). Nevertheless, rates of sexual activity have remained relatively stable over time.4 However, among those who have engaged in sexual activity, the rate of consistent condom use among adolescents is low. Therefore, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are common among adolescents, and their risk of acquiring these diseases is compounded by the fact that adolescents are at high risk for substance use and suicide.5,6 Alcohol is used to relieve stress and social anxiety; alcohol use and risky alcohol use by adolescents are significant issues in many communities and nations.7 In addition, several studies of adolescents with epilepsy have suggested that epilepsy is related to poor body image, poor mood, and higher levels of anxiety.8,9 Many of these factors are associated with depression and suicide attempts in these patients.
Although there is a general decline in suicide attempts from childhood to adolescence, there is evidence that in some populations, suicide attempts among adolescents are increasing.10 As well, there is evidence that some students who report suicidal thoughts, particularly in the United States, are not accessing help from mental health services.11,12 In addition, research has demonstrated that suicide attempts occur in high schools throughout the United States. For example, in a survey of high schools in a suburban community in the United States, approximately one in six students reported past-year suicidal ideation or attempts.13 A study of sixth grade students found that 24% of girls and 4% of boys reported a history of making a suicide
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