Final answer:
Amber, who began serious dating at age 13, is most at risk for psychosocial problems later in life, due to the possible negative impacts on developmental outcomes of early serious romantic involvements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adolescent Psychosocial Problems:
Among the adolescents described, Amber, who started dating seriously at age 13, is most likely to have the most psychosocial problems later in life. This is based on the research indicating that early serious romantic involvement may correlate with negative developmental outcomes.
Adolescence is a critical period for psychosocial development, with significant changes in social dynamics and self-identity. According to the information provided, early adolescent dating, especially serious relationships like in Amber's case, may correlate with early sexual activity and increased risk of substance abuse. In contrast, casual dating or starting relationships later, such as with Becky, Chelsea, or Deirdre, implies a potentially more gradual approach to romantic relationships, which aligns better with later stages of development when teens have more mature cognitive and emotional capacities. Early serious relationships such as Amber's can lead to a focus on romantic involvement over personal identity exploration, potentially contributing to an imbalance in psychosocial development and increasing the likelihood of issues such as lower self-esteem, body image concerns, and a higher vulnerability to peer pressure.
Emerging adulthood is the period following adolescence and benefits from prior healthy developmental experiences. As teens navigate this progression, their prior behaviors and the timing of relationships can have long-lasting impacts, with earlier serious involvements often indicating greater challenges ahead.