Psychological Effects of Puberty

Puberty is a time of physical and emotional development marking the transition from childhood to adolescence. The effects of puberty are both physiological and psychological.

Responses to Hormones

• Once puberty begins, the body begins producing reproductive hormones, which are responsible for the mood swings, or mood changes, so commonly seen during this stage of human development.

Mental Development

• During puberty, and particularly during adolescence, the brain is also growing and developing. Despite their tendency toward impulsiveness, adolescents have a more sophisticated ability to reason and form opinions than children.

Heightened Self-Awareness

• One of the most common effects of puberty is a sense of heightened self-awareness, or self-consciousness. Puberty brings many physical changes, and adolescents become aware, for the first time, that these changes are not only noticeable to themselves but to others as well.

Physical Development

• Many physical changes of puberty, including increased body odor and acne, can be a source of embarrassment and can increase feelings of self-consciousness.

Increased Need For Independence

• Puberty is a time of self-discovery and many adolescents experience a desire to distance themselves from their parents. While this can be a frustrating situation for their parents, the adolescnet's need to be viewed as a separate, unique individual is a normal part of the process of growing into adulthood.