About teenage stress and how should we intervene

by Vasile Pitel

Everyone experiences stress at times – adults, teens and even kids alike. Stress can pass
without consequences but it can also negatively affect the emotional state of the young, his/her
behavior, stress can cause nervous breakdown, depression, etc.
Adults, knowing which the factors that generate stress are, will be able to help their children to
overcome their problems.
Here are some factors:
a. Academic Stress
It is one of the most common types of stress. It is resulted due to the teachers’ pressure on
students, the parents’ pressure on their child, and due to the excessively high expectations of
himself/herself.
It is expected from the student, a high academic performance, a correct behavior, participation at
various extra-curricular activities, etc. Students can’t cope with all these, have too little time for
recreation, they are always tired, tense, and confused.
b. Stress as a result of underestimation
The teenagers compare their possibilities and potential with their classmates and friends.
Teenagers want to become cool and popular, want to look good, they want to be accepted by
the groups of friends (friends, who are, often, richer, more charismatic, etc.). When a teenager
cannot afford the same things, or to participate at the same activities, when he/she cannot catch
the attention of some persons, and is not appreciated enough for the work done, he/she will start
to feel underestimated. This leads to a permanent state of emotional tension and poor social
interaction with peers.
c. Pressure from friends
Adolescence is also the age of experiments, of influences, of revolts. If a teenager does not want
to break the rules taught in family, he/she will hardly integrate into a group of peers who
consume alcohol, narcotics, or commit crimes, etc. Yet, group membership is very important for
an adolescent. Teenagers do want to belong to a group of peers, they want to look ``cool`` but
not ``brainiacs``, they want to be accepted in the group and, in order to achieve this; they often
renounce at personal values and adheres to the values of the respective group. They are put in
the situation in which to manifest two types of behavior: the behavior within the family, and
another behavior, completely different, within the group of friends.
d. Relationship with their parents
A 15-19 years old teenager permanently strives to obtain more autonomy. Often, he/she reacts
hysterically to interdictions, to parental control, to situations in which he/she is obliged to
renounce at his/her favorite activities or his/her personal needs for the sake of the family. It is
created a situation, in which the teenager longs for freedom, considering that he/she is mature
enough,
meanwhile the family is afraid for their child (who is still considered ``little``) to not make some
``foolish things``. Frequently, parents do not understand the needs of their children and they do
not support them. Sometimes, parents only try to impose their own values and beliefs on their
children, not being aware of the fact that this thing worsens the relationship between them.
How should we intervene?
Parents should offer their children one free day in the weekend, day which they can spend with
their friends. Furthermore, they should offer their children more freedom of choice. Every parent
should discuss the problems with their children and strive to find the solutions together.
Teenagers should draw up a daily schedule which to include breaks and they should also learn
some relaxation techniques which to use at need. It is advisable to ask for the help of the school
psychologist, or to address a psychologist when the situation becomes irretrievable.

Source:
„Despre stresul la adolescenți și cum să intervenim” /
(About teenage stress and how should we intervene)
http://vasilepitel.md/despre-stresul-la-adolescenti-si-cum-sa-intervenim/

Translated by Simona Pop