Stress and Coping in Adolescents

Understanding Stress and Coping in Adolescents

• Stress is a normal reaction to changes or challenges, and the body is designed to respond to it.
• The body's autonomic nervous system controls physical responses to stressors, such as heart rate, breathing, and vision changes.
• Chronic stress can cause damage to the body and lead to physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms.
• Coping refers to thoughts and behaviors used to manage stressful situations, and coping styles are consistent over time and across situations.
• Coping can be reactive (following a stressor) or proactive (aiming to neutralize future stressors).
• Physical symptoms of stress include aches and body pains, chest pain or elevated heart rate, exhaustion, headaches, and muscle tension.
• Emotional and mental symptoms of stress include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and sadness.
• Academic pressure and family conflicts are the primary causes of stress among adolescents, according to a study conducted in 2021.
• Academic stress can result from pressure to maintain high grades, meet deadlines, and balance competing priorities.
• Family stress can be caused by parental expectations for good academic performance, financial difficulties, and conflicts among family members.
• Peer pressure, bullying, social exclusion, cyberbullying, and unrealistic perceptions of other people's lives through social media can also cause stress in adolescents.
• Adolescents need to develop coping strategies to manage stress effectively and reduce its negative impact on their lives.