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Review
. 2024 Aug 14;11(8):989.
doi: 10.3390/children11080989.

The Transition from Childhood to Adolescence: Between Health and Vulnerability

Francesca Mastorci  1 , Maria Francesca Lodovica Lazzeri  1 , Cristina Vassalle  2 , Alessandro Pingitore  1
Affiliations
Review

The Transition from Childhood to Adolescence: Between Health and Vulnerability

Francesca Mastorci et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Transitioning from childhood into adolescence is an extraordinary time of life, associated with major physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes and characterized by dynamic development in which interaction with the environment modulates the individual resources responsible for well-being and health. This sensitive period is the time when, in addition to hormonal, metabolic, and neural changes, certain behavioral strategies begin to take shape that will shortly go on to define the emotional, social, and cultural identity of the individual. This narrative review aimed to uncover the crucial processes underlying the transition by identifying processes that are responsible for cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional development, in the absence of disease. For this aim, we highlight (1) the physical, psychological, and social determinants during the transition from childhood to adolescence; (2) the role of health-related variables in resilience or vulnerability mechanisms; and (3) recent school-based strategies to promote health and well-being. Recognizing that health and well-being are the result of the interaction of many biological, psychological, social, cultural, and physical factors will lead to comprehensive health promotion involving all actors joining the growth process, from health professionals and the educational community to parents and community. Furthermore, it is important that psychosocial dimensions are strengthened already during childhood to prevent the onset of frailty and illness in adolescence.

Keywords: adolescence; childhood; health determinants; health-related quality of life; school; well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of resilience or vulnerability mechanisms in transition from childhood to adolescence.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A comprehensive and multilevel approach to health in children and adolescents. PA: physical activity; SES: socioeconomic status; EW: emotional well-being; CS: coping strategies; EF: executive functions; AA: academic achievement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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