Understanding Adolescence: What Psychologists Know About The Adolescent Brain

Adolescence can be a critical period of healthy development between childhood and adulthood, roughly spanning the ages of ten to 19. Adolescents often experience rapid physical growth, social changes, and cognitive development during this time, which are natural parts of adolescent development. While change can be exciting, any major transition may cause anxiety or uncertainty in both adolescents and their parents. 

Our understanding of adolescence continues to improve due to a growing body of psychological research. Some psychologists devote their careers to understanding adolescent development, particularly the adolescent brain. If you’re interested in learning more about adolescent development, it may be helpful to explore the main stages of adolescence, how the brain develops during this formative life stage and the value of therapy for young people and their parents. 

The three main stages of adolescence

While health professionals generally divide adolescence into three stages, the following age ranges are approximate. The first stage of adolescence typically coincides with the beginning of puberty, which can vary depending on nutrition, geography, emotional well-being, and other factors.  

Early adolescence (Ages 10 to 14)

The beginning stage of adolescence is associated with the onset of puberty and rapid growth. During this phase, hormones travel to the sexual organs (ovaries and testes), which catalyze the release of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Due to these hormonal changes, young people with a gynecological reproductive system may experience their first period. People with an androgynal reproductive system may notice changes in their voice, genitals, and a more prominent Adam’s apple. 

Middle adolescence (Ages 15 to 18)

For those with a gynecological system, symptoms of puberty might subside during middle adolescence. However, some physical changes in height, hormones, and voice may continue, especially for teens with an androgynal system. Middle-stage adolescents may also begin exploring sex and romance and spend more time with friends than family. 

Late adolescence (Ages 19 to 24)

During the final stage of adolescence, individuals may reach physical and reproductive maturity. Late adolescents may have a stronger sense of self and identity as young adults, separate from their families and peer groups. 

Although these three phases are distinct, all three involve some variation of cognitive, social, and physical development. When learning about the adolescent brain, it can be helpful to focus on cognitive changes in the adolescent brain, which influence a teen’s physical transformation and social world. 

What psychologists know about the adolescent brain

As a parent or caregiver, you can bolster your child's health by learning more about the adolescent brain. Psychologists continue to study adolescent brain development, but the following five facts about adolescent brains inform psychology’s current understanding of this critical life stage.

The prefrontal cortex continues to develop into early adulthood

As the brain gradually matures into early adulthood, most adolescents improve in a variety of cognitive tasks, including:

• Organizing their thoughts and solving problems
• Forming strategies and planning
• Predicting and weighing the possible consequences of their behavior
• Controlling impulses and delaying gratification

Some of these improvements reflect biological changes in the brain, which continually rewires from early adolescence until around 24. These skills are also influenced by a young person’s environment and resources, including their role models, social experiences, and education. 

Adolescents’ decision-making is generally driven by emotions

Biologically, adolescents’ brains function differently from adults' brains, particularly in problem-solving. Brain imaging studies show that the amygdala guides the adolescent brain. As a more emotional, reactive brain region, adolescents may be driven more by emotions, while the adult brain relies more heavily on the frontal cortex, guided by reason. 

The frontal cortex is the “logical” area of the brain. As teens become adults, white matter (myelin) increases in the frontal lobe, which is involved in thinking and conscious action. Throughout adolescence, teens develop more white matter in the frontal lobe, which promotes neurocircuitry or brain wiring. Over time, this process improves the flow of information between brain regions.

As a parent or caregiver, you may wonder why your adolescent makes impulsive decisions or tends to engage in risk-taking behaviors without considering the outcomes and implications. While holding adolescents responsible for their actions can be beneficial, being aware of their brain development can help adults anticipate, understand, and respond to teens’ behaviors with empathy and patience. 

An adolescent’s brain requires more sleep than a child’s brain

All humans need sleep, but restful slumber is especially critical for teens. According to the National Sleep Foundation, an average of nine hours of sleep per night is recommended for peak mental health. In addition to the number of hours spent sleeping, the quality of teens’ rest is as important. Research suggests that sleep quantity, quality, and consistency may directly affect functioning in brain regions linked to self-control, learning, emotional reactivity, and reward processing. 

One or two nights of poor sleep won’t wreak havoc on adolescents' health, but a consistent sleep routine can support their brain health and well-being. Parents can set reasonable bedtimes to ensure healthy cognitive development and encourage their children to leave electronic devices outside their bedrooms. 

Mental health conditions may develop during adolescence

Throughout adolescence, the brain is changing and rewiring. For this reason, teens are constantly learning and adapting to their environments but are also more susceptible to mental health conditions. 

The emergence of many mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders, often aligns with the onset of adolescence. If you’re concerned about your adolescent’s mental health, consult a medical professional to ensure a proper diagnosis and proactive treatment. 

There is more to learn about adolescent brain development

While our understanding of adolescence has improved substantially, the science of young brains is still incomplete. In response, health organizations and psychologists continue to invest time and resources into this invaluable field of research. 

In the US, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study is one of the most notable examples of research on adolescent brains. ABCD is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several other major organizations. The ABCD is the most extensive long-term study of brain development and children’s health in the US. 

As of 2018, ABCD researchers had recruited 11,880 children, ages nine through ten, to join the study. By tracking their biological and behavioral development, the ABCD aims to accomplish the following goals: 

• Understand the effect of local and national legislation on substance use by adolescents.
• Understand the role of genetic versus environmental factors on adolescent development. 
• Study the effects of exercise, screen time, sleep, and injuries on brain development.
• Study the onset and progression of mental health conditions in adolescents.

These broad goals may evolve, expand, and narrow over time. However, with such a significant sample of adolescents, researchers hope to improve community knowledge of brain development and ultimately help young people lead healthier lives. 

Support your adolescent’s mental health in therapy

Adolescence doesn’t last forever. However, it can be normal to want extra support during this time. Regardless of your challenges, a licensed therapist can offer strategies to guide you with parenting skills and mental health.

Some people prefer to begin the therapy process with an in-person therapist. However, due to its convenience, some parents and individuals use online therapy to strengthen their relationships and overall well-being. Using a digital platform like BetterHelp for adults and TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19, you can match with a licensed therapist and schedule sessions at a time and place that works best for you. In addition, you or your teen can choose between phone, video, and live chat sessions with your therapist. 

Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face options, including a 2016 study of internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescents with chronic pain and their parents. In this study, researchers assessed children’s self-reported pain intensity after online CBT treatments and their depressive symptoms, emotional functioning, and pain-related anxiety. The study also evaluated parents’ depressive and anxiety symptoms and found that adults and children improved significantly in these areas. For both physical pain and emotional health, online CBT and other digital treatments can benefit many families, especially when specialized healthcare is inaccessible.