Emotional Stress and Depression Among the Adolescents - Research Paper Example

?Adolescents Introduction Psychologists have widely accepted that adolescent period is a time of transition from child hood to adulthood and is considered as the most critical period in developmental process of a person’s life. Adolescent period is marked with rapid changes in a person’s physical as well mental life. News reports and surveys mention that many young people follow a miserable life having the painful tug of war with mixed ideas and conflicting demands from their parents, teachers, classmates and other people whom they communicate. The term stress is illustrated by feelings of frustration, tension, worry, sadness, anxiety and gradual withdrawal from social establishments that last from few hours to a few days (What You Should Know about Anxiety Disorders, 2006). Psychologists and research professionals have identified adolescent age as the most crucial period for a person’s developmental process. Adolescent people, due to emotional stress and depression are quite often subjected to severe psychological disorders and behavioral problems. Emotional stress and depression prop up obstacles not only the life of adolescents, it also degenerates the smooth functioning of the families of such adolescents. Researches on adolescent stress and depression require a detailed discussion about the various causes of teenage stress and depression and its implications in social, cultural, political and professional fields are also to be unearthed. A variety of causes such as, family background, school environment, academic performance, loneliness, religious factors and ethnic problems take part in promoting stress and depression among the adolescents. This paper focuses on the twin major adolescent issues- teenage stress and depression. It can be seen that various Socio-cultural, economic, ethical and political factors contribute to emotional stress and depression among the adolescents and these adversely affect their physical and mental wellbeing. An overview about Emotional stress and Depression among the adolescents Emotional stress: One can define stress as the failure of the human body to respond in a proper way to stressors (Smith, Jaffe-Gill & Segal, 2010). Emotional stress among the adolescents paves the way for serious discussions and debates among the psychologists and teachers in recent years. Stress among the adolescents is very often a result of rigid self image. Rigid self image is the thought that life has to be lived only in the single, prearranged way. If an adolescent follows this rigid self image he or she would feel differences and adjustment problems towards his or her surroundings. Emotional stress is also closely related to various circumstances and living situations in a person’s life. Depression: Depression in childhood or adolescence may be a predominantly devastating experience for both adult persons and other family members, especially parents. Psychological studies and clinical surveys report that the outcome of depression and other behavior disorders is not a desirable one. It is a part of common knowledge that depressed mood is usually identified as a mood of sadness, disappoint, and despair and loneliness (Walker, 2011). Wolfe and Mash, in this respect, comment: “To illustrate, the core feature of the various anxiety disorders is an intense fear or worry associated with emotional distress and /or avoidance behavior” (2006, p. 260). Even though, sadness and worry is considered as the initial systems of stress and depression, it promotes severe mental and physical afflictions. It is worthwhile to analyze a study /survey report conducted by The Center for 4-H Youth Development, University of Minnesota. The study is based on 52 rural Minnesota counties and more than 4300 high school students participated in the research process. The 1986 study of Minnesota high school students revealed that both stress and depression pose significant and serious threats for the adolescents (Walker, 2011). Adolescents who were engaged in this study reveal some of the stressful events that they experienced in their lives. Some of the issues to be contracted with include labeling adolescents and the great tension in relation to depressed youth. In order to understand the depressed status of adolescent people, we need to know some arguments about depression that are related to issues of deviance. Depression among the adolescents becomes a serious social issue and it generates sufferings not only among young people, but also among the other members of the family as well. Depression among the adolescents is identified through sadness, gloominess, anxiety, despair and loneliness. Socio-cultural factors contributing stress and depression among the adolescent people Research professionals and psychologists have identified various behaviors and attitudinal factors like, socio-cultural factors, truancy, poor academic performance, religious and economic problems and defective home atmosphere behind the depression among the adolescents. However, increasing depressed status among the adolescents in the United States has resulted in serious discussions and debates. Family backgrounds and the interaction between family members play a significant role in promoting stress and depression among the adult people. Early separation of the parents always promotes a feeling of insecurity among the children and it results in chronic worries and severe emotional stress. It also creates a particular family atmosphere which facilitates defective parent child interaction. Adolescents demand more freedom, consideration and new life styles. Whenever an adolescent fails to catch these changes he is likely to react. As David Paul Ausubel comments; “Through emancipation the adolescent establishes himself as a person in his own right, apart from his parents, prepared to strive for adult goals and willing to assume responsibility for the direction of his own affairs” (Ausubel, 2002, p. 224). Economic status of the family and parents influence the psychological wellbeing of an adolescent. Financial crisis of the family negatively affect the life of an adult. Realization about the poor economic status of the family often creates adjustment problems among the adolescent people. Children who come from lower economic status aspiring to their lifestyle are likely to experience a number of distressing thoughts and feelings. Similarly, ethnic backgrounds play a vital role in promoting stress and depression among the people. Minorities like African Americans and Hispanic communities face severe problems because of financial and racial discriminations from the majority. The pressure of African American or Hispanic parents definitely affects their children. In their collaborative effort entitled Adult psychopathology and diagnosis, Michel Hersen et al remark;“Studies have demonstrated that socio economic status and exposure to trauma related to racism, urban living, and financial strain are correlated with depression and other mental illness such as anxiety and substance abuse” (Hersen, Turner & Beidel, 2007, p. 308). Even though, works of supporting groups, various government organizations and NGOs are going on, symptoms of emotional stress and depression still remain and this promotes severe psychological disorder and health problems in the midst of adolescent life. Adolescent stress and depression and its personal, professional, and ethical implications on the society It is significant that young people with chronic worries and other long term endurance may experience stress and depression in their life. In case of adolescents stress and depression contribute constant failure in academic performance and social interactions. Some cases of chronic stress and depression force the young children to engage in some domestic violence and other anti-social activities. In personal life, stress creates problems at home, and problem with other children in the school. In spite of this, adult stress and depression contribute critical health problems like high blood pressure, nausea, loss of appetite, severe and continuous headache or excessive nervousness. Consequently, one can notice increasing use of sleeping pills, drinking habit, and substance abuse. Studies and national surveys conducted by different organizations like, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and Youth Risk Behavior Survey underline the fact that majority of adolescent children under the age of 18 in the United States have consumed alcohol. Even though the minimum legal drinking age limit is 21, the rate of drinking habit among the adolescents has increased in recent years (O’Malley, Johnston & Bachman, 1998). Constant stress and depression affect the smooth functioning of a person’s professional life. Stress and depression force the young people to show the signs of gradual withdrawal from social establishments. Constant failure in academic and professional life changes them and often promotes quarrelsome behavior towards other people. Major challenges in solving adolescent stress and depression Psychologists and experts from behavioral psychology have suggested a number of preventive methods to solve adolescent stress and depression. Implementation of supporting groups in schools can provide relevant support for adults and their parents. Unfortunately, some practical problems challenge the process of eliminating increasing stress and depression. Defective family relationships and poor interaction between parents and adult people still remain a major problem. Studies prove that weakened family relations increases frustration among adolescents (McLean, 2003, p. 7). Adjustment problems in family environments prepare the initial stage of stress and depression. Abusing and other kinds of physical and mental harassment from the part of family members cause mental disorder and challenging behavior in adolescents. Another significant challenging factor is that socio-cultural and ethnic factors stand as a powerful barrier in the eliminating emotional stress and depression. After effects of social evils like slavery, racial discrimination, and gender discrimination, still remains in the United States. Adolescents from African Americans and other Hispanic communities face severe exclusion and avoidance in the field of higher education and job markets. Some students from minority groups or immigrants feel better experience from their teachers and other mates. Statistical analysis It also reveals that, 80 percent of adolescents who reported making suicide attempts were emotionally depressed. Another study observes; “39 percent suffer from mild to severe depression. These adolescents often rely on passive or negative behaviors in their attempts to deal with problems” (Walker, 2011). It found that 88 percent of adolescents who reported making suicide attempts were emotionally disheartened. In an approximation, 6 percent of adult people reported suicide attempts in the preceding six months. A plan for proposed research Background of the study: The proposed research will focus on adolescent depression and the various factors contributing to depression. The proposed study will seek to establish the current relationship between social, ethnic, cultural factors and teenage depression. It also evaluates the current status of depression among the adolescents. Some of the issues to be contracted with include labeling adolescents and the great tension in relation to depressed youth. In order to understand the depressed status of adolescents, we need to know some arguments about depression that connect to issues of deviance. Depression among the adolescents becomes a serious social issue and it generates sufferings not only among adolescents, but also among other members of the family. Recent studies and newspaper reports underscored about the stressful experience of many adult people. Depression among the adolescents is identified through sadness, gloominess, anxiety, despair and loneliness. So, the study is entitled, The role of social, cultural, ethnic and family factors in adolescent depression. Methodology of the proposed research: The methodology of the proposed research is a quantitative one and it follows the procedure of a secondary data analysis. The methodology contains questionnaires (survey). The survey included 50 students from secondary level and their parents. The questionnaire will be capable of searching out the given topic, whether it suits for an adolescent or not. Student from different socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds helps the researcher to understand the role of various social and cultural factors in promoting depression among the adolescents. The selection of the school was an important task for the researcher. DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis is one of the prominent Catholic schools in Minnesota region. It includes students from various socio-cultural backgrounds. Statistical analysis: It has been reported that in DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis 50 percent of students suffer from depression and face adjustment problems in both the class room and home. The survey includes 50 students, their parents and teachers from DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota region, United States. Correlation is considered as a desirable statistical test and the statistical analysis of data will focus on this test. The proposed research is to be covered comparatively a limited area and data collection will be based on limited number of students. So correlation helps the research to get reliable statistical analysis. Significance of the research: DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis is the most diverse private school in Minnesota region having academic and non- academic intelligence. Students from other countries are also studying in this school. Teachers from DeLaSalle High School have revealed their anxiety in student’s low level performance in school activities. The school authorities have considered behavior problems among the students as a serious problem. School authorities fear that the problem will affect the smooth functioning of school activities. Major subject of the proposed research is depression among the adolescents in the United States. It will also include some related subjects like the factors contributing adolescent depression, challenging factors to solving depression among the adolescents and social, and professional implications of depression. Results of the proposed research will help researchers and other people from various departments and organizations. Data collection and analysis of proposed research will follow specific procedure and the research report will be useful for various agencies and organizations to establish programs. Agencies like Department of Psychology of Education can use research results for establishing their programs. Time line: The proposed research will cover a limited area and it needs four month duration for completion. It will be started on January. month Research goal Related objectives activity Expected Completion Date Step-1 January Enrich understanding the impacts of stress and depression among the adolescents Identify the causes and factors which contribute stress and depression Develop the idea and turn in to a workable hypothesis I5 days Step-2 January Collects previous studies on the issue Perform literature review 15days Step-3 February Perform project as outlined 15days Step-4 February Conduct survey 13days Step-5 March Data collection and analysis 1month Step-6 April Making the first and modified drafts of the paper 15days Step-7 April Present the paper 15 days Conclusions In conclusion, it is evident that stress and depression becomes an important social issue among the adolescents and these issues affect their personal, socio-cultural, professional and mental well being. The survey at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, the most diverse private school in Minnesota region, provides relevant data for the proposed study. The survey contains 50students, their parents and teachers. The survey report will point out the nature and depth of the severe stress and depression faced by adolescents in their life. The study mentions the role of socio-cultural, social, economic, and ethnic factors in promoting stress and depression among the adolescents. The statistical data about adolescent stress and depression gives reliable and authentic information about the issue. Emotional stress and depression among the adolescents have its own social, professional, cultural and ethical implications. In personal life, adolescent stress and depression contributes severe health problems and quarrelsome behavior. Constant stress and depression prop up alcoholism, substance abuse and suicide attempts on young children. NGOs and other government organizations continue their efforts to establish preventive methods against adolescent stress and depression in schools. But a number of challenging factors degenerate these efforts. However, radical measures are essential for coming generation to lead comfortable life without stress and depression. References Ausubel, David Paul. (2002). Theory and Problems of Adolescent Development. 3rd Illustrated ed: iUniverse. Hersen, M., Turner, S.M & Beidel, D.C. (2007). Adult psychopathology and diagnosis. 5th Illustrated ed: John Wiley and Sons. McLean, S.C. (2003). Factors which could influence the development of adolescent depression. Retrieved 13 June 2011 from: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/1611/Thesis.pdf?sequence=1 O’Malley, P.M., Johnston, L.D & Bachman, J.G. (1998). Alcohol Use Among Adolescents. Alcohol Health & Research World, 22(2), 85-94. Smith, M., Jaffe-Gill, E & Segal, R. (2010). Stress Management: How to Reduce, prevent, and Cope with Stress. Retrieved 10 June 2011 from: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm Walker, Joyce. (2011). Teens in Distress Series: Adolescent Stress and Depression. The Center for 4-H Youth Development, Regents of the University of Minnesota. Retrieved 10 June 2011 from: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/da3083.html What You Should Know About Anxiety Disorders. (2006). South Mountain Counseling Services. Retrieved 10 June 2011 from: http://www.southmountaincounseling.com/ARTICLES/sm_news/index.htm Wolfe, David A & Mash, Eric J. (2006). Behavioral and emotional disorders in adolescents: nature, assessment, and treatment. Illustrated ed: Guilford Press. Read More