Brains Grow Differently

 

By John R. Fisher, PhD (assisted by AI)

---

Introduction

Parents, teachers, and anyone who has raised teenagers have probably noticed it: girls often seem to mature earlier, while young men may take a bit longer to reach the same level of judgment, impulse control, and emotional steadiness. This difference isn’t just social—it’s biological. Modern neuroscience shows that although everyone develops through the same stages, the timing of brain maturation is different for men and women. Understanding these patterns helps us appreciate why young adults think and act the way they do—and how we can support them along the way.

---

The Prefrontal Cortex: The Last Piece to Finish

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for:

• decision-making

• managing emotions

• impulse control

• long-term planning

This area matures last, and its development shapes the “adult” mind.

Women Mature Earlier (Around 21–23)

Research using MRI scans shows that women typically complete key brain-development processes earlier. These include:

• myelination, which strengthens neural pathways

• synaptic pruning, which removes unused or inefficient connections

Because puberty also begins earlier for girls, hormones such as estrogen help accelerate emotional regulation and executive function.

Men Mature Later (Around 25–27)

For men, the same processes occur—but they take longer. Testosterone surges begin later and influence brain development over a longer period. As a result:

• impulse control develops more gradually

• risk-taking tendencies last longer

• emotional regulation stabilizes later

Why the Difference?

The gap reflects natural biological pacing. Girls move through developmental stages sooner, which pushes brain maturation earlier. Boys move through these stages later, creating a longer runway to reach full adult neurological function.

How This Plays Out in Real Life

These biological timelines help explain common patterns:

• Young women often display stronger planning and emotional self-management in their early 20s.

• Young men may be more likely to take risks and act impulsively until their mid-20s.

• By the late 20s, both sexes reach similar levels of mature cognitive functioning.

These are trends, not rules—every individual is different. But the general patterns hold across populations.

---

Conclusion

Men and women reach full brain maturity on different timelines, but both follow a predictable developmental arc. Recognizing these differences helps parents, leaders, and young adults themselves understand that maturity is not just a choice—it’s a process shaped by biology. When we appreciate how the brain grows, we respond with more patience, more compassion, and better support for young people navigating the transition into adulthood. Ultimately, understanding brain development helps us live better—not by judging differences, but by respecting them.

---

References

Lenroot, R. K., & Giedd, J. N. (2010). Sex differences in the adolescent brain. Brain and Cognition, 72(1), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2009.10.008

---

Additional Supporting References

Giedd, J. N. (2008). The teen brain: Insights from neuroimaging. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42(4), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.007

De Bellis, M. D., & Keshavan, M. S. (2003). Sex differences in brain maturation in youth: A structural MRI study. Cerebral Cortex, 13(12), 1284–1291. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhg102

Communication in Healthcare

 

What we can learn from clinicians about handling emotions in tough situations?

By Dr. John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Communication in healthcare involves more than sharing information. It is emotional work. Clinicians often face fear, grief, frustration, anger, and confusion—both from patients and within themselves. Their ability to manage their own emotions directly affects communication quality, patient safety, and their own well-being.

A study by Luff et al. (2016) shows how clinicians handle their emotions during difficult conversations. The researchers identify several practical strategies that help clinicians stay calm, clear, and professional.

---

1. Stepping Back Helps Clinicians Stay Grounded

Luff et al. (2016) found that clinicians often pause before they respond. Even a brief moment—a breath or a short silence—helps them stay steady instead of reacting too quickly.

This reflects emotion regulation theory, which explains how people manage feelings before they express them. Pausing is an example of antecedent-focused regulation because the clinician redirects emotion before it grows stronger.

---

2. Cognitive Reframing Reduces Distress

The study also showed that clinicians use cognitive reframing. They remind themselves that strong emotions from patients or families are about the situation, not about them personally.

This mental shift helps them stay calm and compassionate. It reduces defensiveness and allows clearer communication. This strategy fits Gross’s (1998) idea that reframing is one of the most effective ways to manage strong emotions.

---

3. Debriefing With Colleagues Builds Emotional Control

Another important strategy in the study was debriefing. After a difficult conversation, clinicians talk with a colleague to release tension and gain perspective. Luff et al. (2016) found that this helps clinicians:

• process emotions safely

• prevent emotional overload

• reflect on the situation

• communicate more effectively in the future

This shows that emotional support within the healthcare team improves communication with patients.

---

4. Self-Management Improves Empathy and Clarity

Clinicians who manage their emotions well communicate more effectively. Luff et al. (2016) found that they show more empathy, calmness, clarity, and professionalism during stressful moments.

This ties to emotional labor theory (Hochschild, 1983). Healthcare workers often must appear calm even when they feel stressed. The study shows that they can do this in a healthy way—by regulating emotion rather than suppressing it.

---

Why This Matters

Strong communication depends on how a message is delivered, not only on the words used. When clinicians manage their emotions well, they:

• prevent conflict

• make room for patient concerns

• build trust

• reduce their own stress

• support safer decision-making

The findings from Luff et al. (2016) highlight how closely emotional skills and communication skills are connected.
With rising burnout in healthcare, learning to manage emotions during communication is no longer optional—it is essential.

---

Reference

Luff, D., Martin, E. B., Jr., Mills, K., Mazzola, N. M., Bell, S. K., & Meyer, E. C. (2016). Clinicians’ strategies for managing their emotions during difficult healthcare conversations. Patient Education and Counseling, 99(9), 1461–1466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2016.06.017