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Adolescent Stress: A Key Vulnerability Factor

Writer's picture: dr.ssa Elizabeth Mooredr.ssa Elizabeth Moore

Un'immagine evocativa di piedi coperti da un lenzuolo o un sacchetto che somiglia a una nuvola, rappresentando il peso e la pressione dello stress

Stress during adolescence represents a critical vulnerability factor. Various studies indicate an increase in stress levels, exacerbated by social uncertainty, which compounds the natural uncertainty characteristic of this developmental stage.


Types of Stress

Stressful events encompass both severe and serious incidents as well as seemingly minor occurrences that typically become problematic only after repeated exposure.

Stressors can be categorized into three broad groups: general stress, acute severe stress, and chronic severe stress.


  1. General Stress:A normal part of the developmental process for all adolescents involves exposure to a certain degree of general stress. This includes everyday challenges and significant life events such as moving to a new city or changing schools.

  2. Acute Severe Stress:Acute severe stress affects only a subset of adolescents and arises from significant events such as the loss of a loved one, serious accidents, or natural disasters.

  3. Chronic Severe Stress:Another group of adolescents faces chronic severe stress as part of their continuous familial environment. Examples include poverty, racism, domestic violence, and family psychopathology.


These categories are not mutually exclusive; adolescents may experience one or more forms of stress simultaneously.


Gender Differences

Research has identified gender-related differences in adolescent stress. Girls report experiencing more stressful events and challenges compared to boys. These stressors often include family-related, intimate, and social issues. Girls also tend to perceive these events as more stressful than their male counterparts.This disparity may partly explain the higher prevalence of depressive moods among adolescent girls.


Sources of Adolescent Stress

Adolescents face stress from various environments, including family dynamics, school, work, changing relationships, sexual identity concerns, socioeconomic pressures, and unemployment.


Family Environment and Boundaries: Minuchin’s Structural Theory

The family environment plays a pivotal role in adolescent stress. Minuchin, a renowned psychiatrist known for his structural family therapy model, describes family boundaries as existing on a continuum:

  • Disengaged Families:These families are characterized by poor communication and limited protective and supportive functions. Adolescents raised in disengaged families often rely more heavily on their internal locus of control and may struggle to adapt to societal rules.

  • Enmeshed Families:At the opposite end of the spectrum, enmeshed families display excessive interconnectedness with minimal personal autonomy. Adolescents in such environments may face difficulties developing independence and may encounter delays in achieving autonomy.


Communication Styles

Effective communication within the family is crucial for adaptive development. Parents should foster a bidirectional communication process where adolescents can freely express their thoughts.The ideal environment is warm, harmonious, respectful of boundaries, and characterized by open communication and conflict resolution.

Other factors influencing family dynamics include parental relationships, separation or divorce, substance abuse, psychological issues, or family violence. These conditions can significantly stress adolescents, who may lack adequate coping mechanisms.


External Environments

The school environment often poses challenges for adolescents, including academic failure, peer relationships, and power dynamics with teachers during a life stage where authority is a central concern. These factors can lead to school-related stress and, in severe cases, school avoidance.

Peer groups also play a significant role in adolescent development. Identity formation and individuation often depend on peer acceptance. However, peer influence can lead to harmful behaviors, such as smoking, substance abuse, risky sexual activities, and antisocial behavior.


Resilience and Risk Factors in Adolescence

An analysis of resilience and risk factors is essential for both preventive and targeted interventions.

Resilience Factors

Resilience refers to the personal and social protective factors that enable individuals to navigate adverse situations effectively. It encompasses both competence in managing stress and the presence of favorable events that counteract negative circumstances.


Examples of protective factors include:

  • Strong social support

  • Positive socioeconomic conditions

  • Engagement in recreational and sporting activities

Risk Factors


Conversely, risk factors include:

  • Exposure to environmental stressors

  • Socioeconomic disadvantages

  • Delinquency

  • High sensation-seeking behaviors


Research Findings

A recent study on adolescents in Parma identified key protective factors such as self-esteem, coping skills, and social support. The study highlighted relational variables as the most significant contributors to both risk and resilience.


Conclusion

Adolescents face numerous stressors and risk factors that challenge their ability to adapt and thrive. Developing resilience and learning to cope with adversity are among the most important yet difficult developmental tasks of this life stage. When these challenges become overwhelming, it is crucial to provide additional support to help adolescents navigate their difficulties and build a positive future.




 Written by

Dr Elizabeth Moore, Psychologist

(consultation only in Italian)

 

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Bibliography



  • Ammaniti M., Manuale di Psicopatologi dell'Adolescenza, Cortina Ed., 2002

  • Codispoli, Bastianoni, La diagnosi psicologica in età evolutiva, Coraggi Ed, 2002

  • Fuligni e Romito, Il counseling per adolescenti, McGrow Ed, 2002

  • Geldard e Geldard, Il counselig agli adolescenti, strategie e abilità, Erikson Ed., 2004

  • Minuchin S., Famiglia e terapia della famiglia, Feltrinelli Ed., 2002


External resources

If you wish to explore the topic of psychological manipulation further and find relevant articles and studies, consider these important academic and institutional resource


  1. Istituto Nazionale di Salute Mentale Link: Istituto Nazionale di Salute Mentale


  2. American Psychological Association Offre risorse sui diCollegamento: American Psychological Association


  3. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Link: Salute mentale del bambino e dell'adolescente


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