Stress in Teenagers: Are Teens More Stressed than Ever Before?

Are teens today more stressed? The short answer to this question is “Yes.” 

A recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) suggests that teens today are finding coping with their mental health due to stress more challenging than in previous years. This rise in stress may come down to rising academic pressures, fears about the future, and reports of mental health problems – or a combination of all of these factors.¹

We all feel stressed sometimes; it’s a normal response to challenging events. Stress could even be compared to a guitar string. When the string has just the right amount of give, it can produce a beautiful sound. However, if the string is too tight, it can create tension and snap. 

Due to teenager’s developing brains, stress can affect them in unique ways. Chronic stress can affect a teen’s emotional and physical health, performance at school, ability to sleep and develop meaningful relationships, and risk of developing mental health conditions.^1,2

If you’re concerned about stress in yourself or someone you know, there are steps you can take. Stress management techniques for teens and professional support and guidance can relieve stress in teens and help them cope in healthy ways. After all, we may not be able to control the events that cause stress – but we can control our responses to it.

Recent Causes of Stress in Teenagers 

Each teenager might respond to difficult events in different ways. While some might find a particular situation stressful, others might adapt and cope well. The reasons why some teens might find coping with stressors hard may come down to factors like their past experiences, genetic makeup, or how much support they feel they have. 

In other words, the causes of stress in teenagers can be highly changeable – and many of them link directly to changes in the modern climate. Some of the more common reasons for teen stress include the following^1,3-6:

1. Pressure to Achieve Academically

The feeling that their future happiness and success in life depend on test scores can be highly stressful for teens – and this pressure has increased in recent years. Also, believing that they need to achieve high test scores to get into a top-rated college can lead a teen to develop perfectionistic traits, which can cause fear of failure and “self-bullying” thoughts. 

2. Fears About Safety

Reports show that around 56% of school-aged teens fear for their safety due to the threat of gun violence and mass shootings. Between the years 2018 and 2019, more than 100,000 American teenagers attended schools where a shooting took place – understandably leaving an enduring mark on their stress levels. Gun violence not only causes fear in teenagers, but it can also lead to high levels of absenteeism, a decline in test scores, and mental health issues. Each of these factors can contribute to long-term, chronic stress. 

3. The Future of the Nation

Many teens report feeling stressed about the current political climate and the potential direction of the nation. Yet, despite the fact that many teenagers feel stressed about the political future, they also report a lack of willingness to vote. This may be due to how they believe they lack power over the outcomes. 

4. A Decline in Mental Health 

In comparison to previous generations (with the exception of Millenials), today’s youth are more likely to report their mental health as being “average” or “below average.” Commonly reported mental health symptoms include feeling sad, depressed, nervous, and anxious, as well as difficulties sleeping and lacking the interest or motivation to participate in activities. 

5. Social Media 

While social media can make teenagers feel more connected to others, it also can create a “comparison effect” where they feel inadequate or judged by others for not being “good enough.” As a result, teenagers may feel low self-esteem and stressed about how they come across socially. 

6. Personal Problems

Many teens may struggle with financial issues at home, including the lack of available work to earn money. While a lot of teenagers may stress about affording nice clothes to present themselves in a certain way, others might be dealing with problems like debt and housing instability. These issues can impact home lives and affect concentration at school and with friends – affecting academic performance and close bonds. Additionally, frequent conflict at home due to these problems can also increase stress levels.

7. The COVID-19 Pandemic

Whereas the pandemic might feel like a distant memory for some, research has shown that it potentially has long-lasting effects on teens’ social skills, academic performance, and mental health. Without effective coping strategies, many teenagers may still be dealing with these aftermaths, which may be affecting their stress levels. 

The Signs of Stress in Teens

Every teenager is different. Therefore, what causes stress in teenagers and how they respond to it can vary. If you’re worried about stress in a teenager you know, you will be in the best place to spot changes to their temperament and actions. However, the following are common signs of stress in teenagers.^7,8

• Mood changes: When stressed, a teen may show outward signs, such as frustration, irritability, or being quick to anger. Alternatively, some teens may become more withdrawn than usual.
• Changes in behavior: In response to a shift in how they feel, a teen may act differently when stressed. This might look like outbursts of aggression, or acting in risky ways, such as being impulsive. Or, they might isolate themselves from others and become quieter than normal. 
• Fatigue: When stressed, a teen might struggle to shut off their mind long enough to sleep – or else might wake up frequently during the night. Such disruptions to sleep might cause them to feel constantly tired, which can increase stress as their concentration and motivation might be affected.
• Physical complaints: We hold stress in the body, so it’s common for teenagers to report illnesses such as stomach pains, digestive problems, headaches, and muscle tension when stressed – without any medical cause. Plus, stress can cause increases in the hormone cortisol, which can affect how teens feel pain. 
• Lack of motivation: As stress can cause tiredness and emotional distraction, a teen may struggle to keep up with responsibilities such as homework and chores. 
• Appetite changes: A teen may either feel too distracted to eat when stressed, or feel less hungry due to increases in cortisol. On the other hand, they may experience an appetite increase and eat more frequently. 

Feeling stressed from time to time is normal. However, if you frequently notice these signs of stress in yourself or someone you know, it may be important to help a teen with stress management. Even though the causes of stress may be evolving, many of the ways of managing it still involve traditional techniques of listening, giving support, and helping them find ways to relax and have fun.

Teen Stress Management

The key to managing stress isn’t about getting rid of challenging situations or events. It’s about learning how to cope with the mental burden and asking for help and support when it’s needed. Plus, just as how each teen responds to stressful events differently, they might also require varying levels of support. 

If you’re worried about a teenager’s stress levels, you can help them cope in the following ways:

1. Recognize How They Act When Stressed

Teenagers cope with stress in different ways. Some might feel irritability and frustration bubble into a bad mood, while others may become withdrawn or have trouble sleeping. Understanding the signs of stress in someone you know can help you pinpoint when and how they might need support. 

2. Talk to Them

Having an open conversation with a teenager about how they’re feeling need not become an additional source of overwhelm. Instead, it can help them realize that they don’t have to cope with everything by themselves. You could start the conversation by saying something like, “Hey. I’ve noticed you have a lot on your plate these last few weeks. How are you coping?”

3. Support Them in Practical Ways

If a teen is feeling stressed about things such as schoolwork, you can support them in practical ways such as by helping them make a hierarchy of important tasks or temporarily taking over a household chore to relieve pressure. Ask them about the areas they feel most stressed – even discussing it can help them put situations into perspective and problem-solve.

4. Promote a Healthy Routine

Teenagers often neglect important aspects of self-care when stressed – but these are the times when self-care is most needed. Ensure that they’re eating a balanced diet, getting between 7-8 hours of sleep, and including exercise in their routine. Each of these aspects can help alleviate stress by taking time to rest, increasing “happy” chemicals in the brain, and boosting the immune system. 

5. Encourage Relaxation Time

When stressed, a teen might feel like they neither have the time nor the ability to relax. But it’s important to take “downtime” to unwind and find balance. Activities such as mindful walks, deep breathing, and meditation are evidence-based ways to improve feelings of calm. However, it’s also good for a teenager to engage in activities they find joy in, such as playing a sport, hanging out with friends, or taking time to go to the cinema. 

When Is it Time to Worry About Stress? 

Stress in teens is a normal response to challenges – it can even help improve performance. However, regularly feeling stressed without any clear cause could indicate a problem. Plus, if stress becomes long-term or starts to interfere with a teen’s ability to enjoy daily life and function, then it may be time to take action. 

Mission Prep can help. Our team of trained professionals can help teens manage stress related to a wide range of academic and social challenges, and learn healthy ways to cope. Together, we can help a teenager realize that they don’t have to manage stress alone. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and we aim to help you reach it. Contact us today for information and support. 

References

1. American Psychological Association. (2018). Stress in America™: Generation Z. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2018/stress-gen-z.pdf
2. National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Teens and stress: When it’s more than worry. NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. Retrieved from https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/teens-and-stress-when-its-more-than-worry
3. Rossin-Slater, M. (2022). Surviving a school shooting: Impacts on the mental health, education, and earnings of American youth (Policy Brief). Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. Retrieved from https://siepr.stanford.edu/publications/health/surviving-school-shooting-impacts-mental-health-education-and-earnings-american
4. Irmer, A., & Schmiedek, F. (2023). Associations between youth’s daily social media use and well-being are mediated by upward comparisons. Communications Psychology, 1(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-023-00013-0
5. Creswell, C., Waite, P., & Hudson, J. L. (2021). Young people’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 5(8), 535–537. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00177-2
6. Breaux, R., Cash, A. R., Lewis, J., Garcia, K. M., Dvorsky, M. R., & Becker, S. P. (2023). Impacts of COVID-19 quarantine and isolation on adolescent social functioning. Current Opinion in Psychology, 52, 101613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101613
7. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress and children. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/stress
8. Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). The gut-brain connection. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection