Life changes

Young people aged between 16 and 19 years may face significant change in their lives as well as the developmental changes outlined. This may include them or their peers leaving or changing their homes or localities. This may be by choice for study or to find a home of their own, or for many other reasons where the choice may not be their own to make.

Whichever the situation, this can be an emotional and socially challenging time in which the change in self-concept to an independent individual, making personal choices is fuelled by life change, making the need for greater independence necessary. Those remaining with their families may feel pressure when their peers leave and this can also be emotionally stressful.