Principles of Psychology 10000 OL21

Matt Edwards

Stress in Adolescents

Stress - the state which is seen in response to internal or external stressors. Every system of the body responds to stress in varying ways. Stress enlists changes affecting almost every system of the body, influencing how people feel and behave (Psychology Dictionary).

The term is used to describe the physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to events that are appraised as threatening or challenging (Ciccarelli, 410).

What happens in the brain during stress

The brain decides there is danger and sends nerve signals down spinal cord to the adrenal gland which release the hormone adrenaline which increases the amount of sugar in the blood, increases heart rate, and raises blood pressure.

The hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary glans and stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce a stress hormone, cortisol, which keeps blood sugar and blood pressure up to help one escape from danger.

www.youramazingbrain.org/brainchanges/stressbrain.htm

www.longislandstressreduction.com

Main causes of stress in adults

articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/10/10-steps-to-manage-stress.aspx

Main Causes of Stress in AdolescentsPeer pressure 

Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend  Conflict within relationshipsPeer rejectionPressures of schoolMoving to a new home and school  Tests and homework  Too-high expectations  Sports and other extracurricular activities  Social backwardness   Pubertal changesToo fast or too slow physical development  Family problems including abuse and alcohol  Physical and emotional abuse and neglectEmployment  Owning a car  Money problems

Ineffective Coping Strategies for AdolescentsResignationDistractionSocial withdrawalWishful thinkingSelf-criticismBlaming othersSkipping schoolBullying othersDrug abuse

General Manifestations of Stress

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/long-term-stress-symptoms-effects-lesson.html#lesson

Specific Effects of Stress on the AdolescentDepression

UnassertiveOverly dependentExcessive reassurance-seekingIneffective problem-solvingLong term cognitive deficitsSelf-criticismSocial withdrawalPessimismWeak relationshipsSchool phobiaPoor grades in schoolInattentivenessWeakened immune system

Problem-focused coping(Problem solving with available resources)

Emotion-focused Coping(Emotional expression – share more thoughts with trusted individuals, write in a journal; Emotional regulation-avoid generalizations or magnification; Cognitive restructuring-identifying and changing negative thoughts; Acceptance-agreeing to moving forward)

Social Support (Counselor, support group)

Meditation

Humor

Exercise

Most Effective Coping Strategies for Stress in Adolescents

Daily stress coping strategies to help adolescents

http://lerablog.org/health/useful-stress-management-tips-to-get-a-grip-of-your-life-in-times-of-financial-crisis/

Teens reduce stress and lower anger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnXrXX0m-NE

Managing the stressors in life

References

Ciccarelli, Saundra K, White, J. Nolan. (2014) Psychology. Boston: Prentice-Hall.

Defense Mechanism Definition. Retrieved July 4, 2014 from http://psychology.about.com/od/dindex/g/defense mech.htm

Donaldson, Deidre, Prinstein, Mitchell J., Danovsky, Michael, Spirito, Anthony. (2000, July) Patterns of children’s coping with life stress: Implications for clinicians. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.

Flynn, Megan, Rudolph, Karen D. (2011, June 7) Stress generation and adolescent depression: Contribution of interpersonal stress responses. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

Hedges, Dawson W., Woon, Fu Lye. (2010, November 2) Early-life stress and cognitive outcome. Psychopharmacology.

Kiselica, Mark S., Baker, Stanley B., Thomas, Ronald N., Reedy, Susan. (1994, Vol. 41) Effects of stress inoculation training on anxiety, stress, and academic performance among

adolescents. Journal of Counseling Psychology.

Sontag, Lisa M., Graber, Julia A., Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne, Warren, Michelle P. (2008, May9) Coping with social stress: Implications for psychopathology in young adolescent girls. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2008, May 9)

Stress Definition. Retrieved July 4, 2014 from www.psychologydictionary.org/stress.What happens in the brain during stress. Retrieved July3, 2014 from

www.teenhelp.com/teen-stress/teen-stress-causes.html