Why do teens act impulsively? A psychoneuropsychiatry review of decision making
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Abstract
Adolescence is a crucial transitional phase characterized by the "Adolescent Health Paradox," a condition where adolescents are at their peak physical vitality yet experience increased morbidity and mortality rates due to high-risk behaviors. From a psychoneuropsychiatric perspective, this is caused by an imbalance in brain maturation between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of adolescent brain development and its relationship with impulsive behavior and decision-making mechanisms. This study utilizes a literature review method by examining scientific articles from the Google Scholar, PubMed, and NCBI databases, as well as references from official institutions such as the WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, primarily focusing on publications from the last ten years. The review indicates that adolescent impulsivity is a multidimensional construct involving "impulsive action" and "impulsive choice". Based on the Dual Systems Model, the limbic system (reward and emotion) develops more rapidly than the prefrontal cortex (executive control), leading adolescents to be more reactive and struggle with delaying gratification. Internal factors such as emotion regulation and resilience, as well as external factors like parental attachment and peer influence, significantly affect impulsivity levels. The clinical implications of this condition include an increased risk of mental disorders such as ADHD, Substance Use Disorder, and self-harm. Impulsive behavior in adolescents is a logical consequence of incomplete neurodevelopmental processes. Intensive guidance from parents and a supportive school environment are necessary to help adolescents develop self-control and healthy decision-making skills.
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