Adolescent Stress: Causes, Consequences, and Communication as an Interventional Model

Abstract

Adolescents are encountering a greater quantity, variety, and intensity of stress than any previous generation. This study analyses data from my own experience, pop culture, and statistics, as well as videos produced by artists and professionals. The purpose was to identify the primary stressors impacting junior high school students’ emotional well-being, examine how these stressors are affecting them socially and academically, and explore what role having someone to talk to might have in helping to reduce their stress levels. The study found that parents, peers, academics, and physical and psychological concerns are the greatest sources of stress for this particular age group. Anxiety, depression, and withdrawal/disengagement are the most common emotional effects, and communicating feelings to a trusted adult can mitigate some of these difficulties. These findings suggest that helping students cope with personal stress requires that it become a priority, teachers be provided with adequate training, and time and space be made available for students to discuss their problems. As a result, an intervention model focusing on brief, solution-focused interactions is proposed.