Human Growth and Development 
Growth and development
growth
spans an individual's lifetime
begins at birth and ends at death
measurable physical changes
development
the process of becoming fully grown
refers to intellectual, mental, social, and functional skills
more difficult to measure
hcw need to be aware of various stages and needs to provide quality hc
life stages- b/c individuals differ greatly, each person has to pass through certain stages of growth and development from birth to death
physical- refers to body growth
mental/cognitive- refers to intellectual development
emotional- refers to feelings
social- refers to interactions and relationships with others
goes from simple to complex
each stage builds on one another
Erik Erickson
psychoanalyst has identified eight stages of psychosocial development
these are basic conflicts or needs that must be resolved at each stage
believed that if an individual iis not able to resolve a conflict at the appropriate stage, the individual will struggle with the same conflict later on in life
Hcw must understand that each life stage creates certain needs in people
Infancy
most rapid change
Physical
social
born at about 6-8 pounds and 18-22 inches
triples by end of first year
moro, rooting, sucking, and grasp reflex
2-4 months, able to lift head and grasp or reach objects
4-6 months, turn body completely around and accept objects
8-10 months, crawl and pull self up to sitting or standing position
By end of first year eye sight is better, walk, and have 10-12 teeth
Mental
respond to discomfort
birth can not speak, from 2-4 months with cooing to being able to say a few single words by one year
4 months- infants recognize caregivers
6months- infants watch activities of others and show signs of possessiveness and may become shy to strangers
12months- infants still shy around strangers, mimic sounds, vocal sounds and facial expressions
Early childhood (age 1-6)
physical
by age 6 45lbs. and 46 inches
legs and lower body develop quicker
age 2 or 3 most teeth in
mental
age 6 knows 1500-2000 vocab words
2yr old short attention span
ask frequent questions
make decisions base on logic
emotional
defy limits that are set around age 2
understand right and wrong
4-6 yr. gain more control over emotions
feel impatient, anger tantrums
social
self centered one year old to social six year old
fear separation of parents
begins to take interest of others
learn to conform with rules
Late childhood (age 6-12)
physical
wt. gain 4-7lbs. and increase of ht. 2-3 inches
visual acuity at its best
adult teeth grow in
children engaging in more motor sensory physical activity
mental
speech and memory more complex
reading and writing skills developed
use information to solve problems
understand abstract concepts
Emotional
more under control and dealt in an effective manner
10-12yrs sexual maturation and changes in body can lead to depression along with periods of joy
social
7yr olds like to do things by themselves
8-10 yr- more group oriented with same gender
accept opinions, form rules, and standards of behavior by others followed in the group
need parental approval, reassurance, and peer acceptance
Adolescence (age 12-18yrs)
physical
sudden growth spurt with rapid weight gain and height increase
puberty
muscle coordination slows down and clumsiness
mental
increase knowledge and sharpening with skills
learn to make decisions and accept responsibility
emotional
stormy and in conflict
by end of this stage identity est.
feel inadequate and insecure
worry about appearrance, and abilities relationships with others
social
spending less time with family and more with friends
seek security in groups for self confidence
toward end of years more mature
Needs of adolescence
reassurance, support, and understanding
many problems in later life can be traced back to feelings and insecurity of teenage years
anorexia nervosa
a psychological disorder person drastically reduce food intake or refuses to eat. results in excessive wt. loss and metabolic disturbances
Bulimia- a psychological disorder in which binging and fasts or refuses to eat
Bulimarexia-when a person induces vomitting or uses laxatives to get rid of food that had been eaten
food illness more common in females
chemical abuse- is the phsyical or mental dependence of drugs or alcohol
occur at any age but frequently start at adolescence
can lead to physical and mental disorders and diseases
tx- towards total rehab
reason for use- anxiety or stress relief, peer pressure, escape of problems
sucicide
one of th eleading cause of deaths for teenagaes
permanent solution
reasoning- depression, grief of death of a love one, lack of self esteem
risks include- major loss or disappointment, previous sucide attempts, or recent sucicde of a loved one
warning signs- injury of body parts, excessive fatigue, depression
Early Adulthood (Age 19-40)
physical- complete and prime childbearing time
mental- independent, makes career choices, est. lifestyle, selects marital partner, starts family, est. values
emotional
learn to accept criticism and profit from mistakes
find satisfaction with achievements
if strong can cope with worries
social
becomes involved with mate
hang round people with similar ambitions and interests , regardless of age
Middle Adulthood (age 40-65)
physical
hearing loss, visual acuity, weight gain, muscle tone decrease
mental
more confident making decisions and acquire understanding of life
emotional
periods of contentment or crisis
emotional status of previous life stage determines emotional status
social
depends on work and family relationships
Late Adulthood (age 65 and up)
physical- age spots, hair thin and lacks luster, hearing loss
mental
short term memory goes first
alzheimers- irreversible loss of memory
arteriosclerosis
thickening of walls cause decrease of blood flow decreasing blood flow to brain
emotional- some cope well others become lonely and depressed due to death, retirement, money problems
social- need a sense of belonging, self esteem , financial security, social acceptance, and love
death and dying
final stage of growth
can not escape
teenagers tend to ignore
usually it is the eldelry who have lost others, who begin to think about there own death
terminal illness- a disease that cannot be cured and leads to death
people react in different ways
fear of unknown
fear of abandoment and loneliness
some act in fear and anxiety
anxious about loved ones and about unfinished dreams
anxiety will diminish when they feel they have lived a "full live"
Dr. Elizabeth Kubler- Ross
leading expert in field of death and dying and b/c of her research
pt. should be left with hope and know they won't be left alone
stuff need to know extent of info known by pts.
identified five stages of grief
dying pts. and their families and friends may experience these stages
stages may not occur in order
some pts. may not progress through them all other experience many at once
denial- refuses to believe
anger- when no longer able to deny, pt. is bitter
Bargaining- accepts death but wants more time, bargains with religion
Depression- realizes death will come soon and will no longer be with family and friends
acceptance- understands and accepts the fact they are going to die
Hospice- palliative care only- provides only support and comfort
often in home but can be in hospital and nursing home
is not limited to a specific time periods in a pts, do not need a script from doctor for hospice
philosophy- allow pt. to die with dignity and comfort
provide hospital equipment, pain meds, and emotional support
right to die
ethical issue
laws allowing this
under these laws specific actions to end life can be taken
hospice encourages life promise
death is part of life
hcws must understand death and dying process and think about needs of dying pt.
then hcws will be able to provide the special are these individuals need
maslow's hierarchy need
what needs to be met first to be satisfied
needs lack of something that is required or desired
needs exist from birth to death
needs influence our behavior
needs have priority status
mus prioritize when several needs are felt at same time
direct methods
all these methods are directed toward meeting the need
indirect method
these reduce the need and help relieve the tension created by unmet need
defense mechanisms
unconscious acts that help a person deal with an unpleasant situation
provide methods for maintaining self esteem and relieving discomfort
rationlization
reasonable excuse for behavior to avoid real reason
projection- placing blame on someone else
displacement- transferring feelings about someone to someone else
compensation- substituting one goal for another to achieve success
repression- forgetting painful ideas but occasionally remembering through flashbacks
suppression- refuses to deal with feeling
denial- disbelief of an event
withdrawal- avoids a conflict
daydreaming- dreaming about something when reality is boring
be aware of your needs and patient needs