Final answer:
Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage that includes puberty and psychosocial challenges like developing a strong identity. Successful navigation through this period impacts later stages like early adulthood, where the focus shifts to forming intimate relationships and avoiding emotional isolation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period from puberty to young adulthood encompasses a significant developmental stage known as adolescence. This stage marks the transition from childhood to adulthood and is characterized by a variety of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. One of the key milestones is the onset of puberty, which involves becoming sexually mature.
During adolescence, individuals develop a stronger sense of personal identity. This process is part of Erikson's psychosocial stage of 'identity versus role confusion,' where adolescents wrestle with questions like "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" Successfully navigating this stage results in a strong sense of self, whereas failure can lead to role confusion and a weak sense of identity.