Psychological development of young adolescents: implications for health education practice

The social and cognitive development of young people at adolescence can have a marked influence on their health‐related behaviour. Psychological development can be influenced at both inter‐ and intrapersonal levels, and health behaviour can be explained and accounted for by a diverse range of influences. This article discusses issues such as experimentation, self‐esteem and individuality within the framework of current theories of psychological development. It assesses the implications of adolescent development for health education programmes, with specific reference to how psychological development influences the motivation and reinforcement of health‐compromising behaviour, such as smoking.