Thus, we define adolescence as «the developmental period
during which physical (
e.g. growth spurt, change in body mass, sexual maturation), psychological (
e.g. affective intensity and lability, romantic and idealistic aspirations, sense of invulnerability, abstract thinking), and social (
e.g. distancing from adults and children, primacy of peer relationships, romantic involvement) milestones are being reached» (Ernst et al. 2006, p. 2).