Coping with Stress and Challenges of Middle and Late Adolescence

Coping with Stress and Challenges of Middle and Late Adolescence

The Passage to Adulthood: Challenges of Late Adolescence

Physical Development

• Most girls have completed the physical changes related to puberty by age 15.
• Boys are still maturing and gaining strength, muscle mass, and height and are completing the development of sexual traits.

Emotional Development

• May stress over school and test scores.
• Is self-involved (may have high expectations and low self-concept).
• Seeks privacy and time alone.
• Is concerned about physical and sexual attractiveness.
• May complain that parents prevent him or her from doing things independently.
• Starts to want both physical and emotional intimacy in relationships.

Social Development

• Shifts in relationship with parents from dependency to maturity and responsibilities.
• Is more aware of social behaviors of friends.
• Seeks friends that share the same beliefs, values, and interests.
• Friends become more important.
• Starts to have more intellectual interests.
• Explores romantic and sexual behaviors with others.
• May be influenced by peers to try risky behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, sex).

Mental Development

• Becomes better able to set goals and think in terms of the future.
• Has a better understanding of complex problems and issues.
• Starts to develop moral ideals and to select role models.

Challenges Adolescents Are Facing

• Attitude towards sexuality and sexual relations.
• Academic concerns.
• Group belongingness.
• Health and nutrition.
• Developing or regaining self-esteem.

Causes of These Challenges

• Biological or physical factors such as genes, puberty, hormones, and brain development.
• The prefrontal cortex develops after the amygdala, which is linked to risk-taking behaviors and sexual experimentation.

Finding Self-Identity

• One of the hardest tasks of adolescence is finding oneself.
• Challenges and issues arise from peers, family, school, and society.

Challenges in the Family

• Quest for independence.
• High expectations.
• Making career choices.
• Relationship issues (opposite sex).

How to Deal with These Challenges

• Communicate openly.
• Understand your parents.
• Be responsible.
• Be close to God.

School Demands

• Schooling utilizes a lot of energy, with readings, assignments, projects, activities, and examinations.
• Time management skills and prioritizing passion over pressure are essential.

The Power of Declarations

• The power of declaration is biblical; what we think and claim will come to pass.
• Proverbs 18:21: The tongue has the power of life and death.
• James 3:3-5: The tongue is powerful and directs our lives.
• Psalm 119:89: Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
• Romans 10:17: Speaking scripture strengthens our faith.
• Declarations are a weapon in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17), aiding in achieving God's purposes.