Adolescents (12 to about 18 years) commonly experience which changes?

• A. They experience puberty and self-image changes, with no desire for independence.
• B. They experience puberty but do not seek independence and have no self-image changes.
• C. Preadolescents and teenagers begin to develop secondary sex characteristics and strive for independence from parents. They experience puberty and self-image changes.
• D. They have no emotional changes during puberty.

Answer: (C)

During adolescence, puberty brings both physical and psychosocial changes. Teens develop secondary sex characteristics and go through growth spurts, which are the visible bodily changes of puberty. At the same time, they form their own identity and seek more independence from parents, leading to a push for autonomy and shifts in mood and behavior. Self-image becomes more important as they compare themselves to peers and become more self-conscious about appearance. So, experiencing puberty along with evolving self-image and a drive for independence captures the typical changes in this age range. The other options miss one or more of these key elements, such as independence, self-image changes, or emotional shifts.