Dataset Information

Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a "maturity gap" in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.

ABSTRACT: All countries distinguish between minors and adults for various legal purposes. Recent U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning the legal status of juveniles have consulted psychological science to decide where to draw these boundaries. However, little is known about the robustness of the relevant research, because it has been conducted largely in the U.S. and other Western countries. To the extent that lawmakers look to research to guide their decisions, it is important to know how generalizable the scientific conclusions are. The present study examines 2 psychological phenomena relevant to legal questions about adolescent maturity: cognitive capacity, which undergirds logical thinking, and psychosocial maturity, which comprises individuals' ability to restrain themselves in the face of emotional, exciting, or risky stimuli. Age patterns of these constructs were assessed in 5,227 individuals (50.7% female), ages 10-30 (M = 17.05, SD = 5.91) from 11 countries. Importantly, whereas cognitive capacity reached adult levels around age 16, psychosocial maturity reached adult levels beyond age 18, creating a "maturity gap" between cognitive and psychosocial development. Juveniles may be capable of deliberative decision making by age 16, but even young adults may demonstrate "immature" decision making in arousing situations. We argue it is therefore reasonable to have different age boundaries for different legal purposes: 1 for matters in which cognitive capacity predominates, and a later 1 for matters in which psychosocial maturity plays a substantial role. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

SUBMITTER: Icenogle G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6551607 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a "maturity gap" in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.

Icenogle Grace G Steinberg Laurence L Duell Natasha N Chein Jason J Chang Lei L Chaudhary Nandita N Di Giunta Laura L Dodge Kenneth A KA Fanti Kostas A KA Lansford Jennifer E JE Oburu Paul P Pastorelli Concetta C Skinner Ann T AT Sorbring Emma E Tapanya Sombat S Uribe Tirado Liliana M LM Alampay Liane P LP Al-Hassan Suha M SM Takash Hanan M S HMS Bacchini Dario D

Law and human behavior 20190201 1

All countries distinguish between minors and adults for various legal purposes. Recent U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning the legal status of juveniles have consulted psychological science to decide where to draw these boundaries. However, little is known about the robustness of the relevant research, because it has been conducted largely in the U.S. and other Western countries. To the extent that lawmakers look to research to guide their decisions, it is important to know how generalizable the ...[more]

PMID: 30762417

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundAdolescence is a distinct developmental phase characterized by multiple physical and psychological changes and by an increased vulnerability to somatic and mental health problems. These risk and vulnerability factors are part of a complex biopsychosocial matrix, encompassing multiple factors, such as inherited biological determinants and psychological, societal, and cultural influences, which affect an adolescent's overall wellbeing. In Morocco, similar to other developing countries, adolescents (young people aged from 15 to 19 years) constitute a substantial proportion of the population (almost 9%). However, studies about adolescents' health in developing countries are scarce. In this study, we describe adolescents' somatic health in a sample of high school students from the city of Tetouan, Morocco, and investigate how negative psychosocial factors, such as parental alcohol use problems and/or the experience of abuse, may influence them.MethodsThe study sample included 655 adolescents (315 boys and 340 girls, M = 16.64 years, range = 15-18 years) from conviniently selected classes of four high schools in the city of Tetouan in Morocco. The students responded to a survey that assessed the prevalence of somatic complaints/disorders. They also indicated whether they had ever experienced physical and/or psychological abuse and whether they had parents with alcohol use problems.ResultsMore than half of the adolescents suffered from headaches and one-third had substantial problems with diarrhea or constipation. Both problems were more common in female students. The third most frequent somatic problem, affecting one in four in both genders, was allergy. Almost one-third of Moroccan adolescents (significantly more boys than girls; p = 0.004) reported no somatic complaints. In adolescents who reported parental alcohol use problems and/or experience of physical and/or psychological abuse, the prevalence of several somatic complaints (epilepsy, migraine, headache, diarrhea/constipation, gluten intolerance, allergy, and skin or thyroid disease) increased highly significantly compared to the adolescents who reported no such psychosocial environmental factors.ConclusionThe results suggest that only 3 in 10 urban-living Moroccan adolescents are free of somatic complaints, while the majority suffer from some somatic problems, most often headaches and diarrhea/constipation. The association of certain negative psychosocial factors with adolescents' somatic health suggests the need of a holistic approach to the treatment of affected adolescents.

Project description:BackgroundLittle data is available on the long-term psychosocial effects of disclosure of HIV status that may occur in late adolescence, even when disclosure is timely. Moreover, few studies have described the post-disclosure psychosocial needs of older adolescents who experience delayed disclosure. This study sought to address existing knowledge gaps in the post-disclosure experiences and psychosocial needs of older adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV).MethodsWe conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) among older perinatally infected adolescents aged 16-19 years We collected socio-demographic data and baseline viral load (copies/ml) results for the preceding six months using interviewer-administered questionnaires and clinical notes abstraction. We analysed data inductively and deductively to identify themes related to the experiences and expectations of adolescents with the disclosure and post-disclosure period.ResultsAdolescents who reported having received timely disclosure expressed that as they grew older, they began to comprehend the lifelong repercussions of an HIV diagnosis and experienced a re-emergence of the negative feelings similar to those experienced during the post-disclosure period. Those who received the knowledge of their HIV status during late adolescence experienced prolonged periods of negative self-perception and anger at not receiving their HIV status earlier. They also expressed a need for more information during the disclosure process on the prevention of onward transmission of the virus, safe conception practices resulting in HIV negative children, and information on how to disclose their HIV status to sexual partners or peers. Anticipated stigma was experienced universally by these older adolescents and was a major barrier towards adherence and coping with an HIV status. Caregivers or siblings with a similar HIV status were a source of social support. Adolescents felt that the support of peers (ALWHIV) helped them to accept their HIV status and to learn how to develop a positive outlook on life.ConclusionProvision of psychosocial care in late adolescence during the transition to adult care is critical in ensuring the resolution of re-emergent negative emotions. Comprehensive information on HIV prevention and sexual reproductive health should be a crucial component of post-disclosure care for older adolescents. HIV Disclosure and adolescent transition guidelines should include these components to optimize psychosocial care for older adolescents.

Dataset Information

Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a "maturity gap" in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.

Publications

Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a "maturity gap" in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets