To examine the types of stress among adolescents.

Running head : TYPES OF STRESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

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Chapter 1

Introduction

Stress affects both the young and old people and the way a person handles it depends on a number of factors . In adolescents their coping mechanisms are not as developed as those of adults and they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of post traumatic stress dis (PTSD than are adults

Thesis statement

This research intends to show that adolescents suffer stress from different sources and that their response

to this is greatly dependant on the variables

Variables involved

The variables that affect a child include the family . Being the main socializing influence on a child , it plays a major role in its development (McCubbin Patterson , 1982 ) Family units are normally composed of a father , mother and children . In some instances this definition can include the immediate relatives like grandparents who stay with the unit on a permanent basis . The way a child relates to the family and vice versa is important for the child 's development . A balanced relationship involves reciprocal love , respect and support . The parents are expected to be good role models and are traditionally charged with the responsibility of disciplining the child when it makes mistakes . Assisting the parents around the home and being an obedient and hardworking person is expected of the child

The stressors and strains the child is exposed to determine the type of stress that the child will face in life (Kandel Adler , 1982 . In functional families , the types of stressors and strains will fall under the ambit of normal categories . However a dysfunctional family presents situations that affect a child in ways that most normal children would not be . Where child sexual abuse (CSA ) takes place or where domestic violence is the of the day the child will be traumatized . The events that take place in and around the child 's environment will also play a big role in the child 's development

Resources available to the child play a vital role in the type of stress that the child will be exposed to . In cases where the parents provide for the child 's every need it will develop comfortably . The reverse is true when resources are withheld or are simply lacking in the bringing up the child (Whipple Webster-Stratton , 1991

Coping mechanisms that a child develops enables it to manage different types of stress . If the family unit has a predisposition of viewing the challenges of life from a positive perspective than the coping skills of the child will be very good . Negative and gloomy outlooks by the family members ' create a poor response in the child 's ability to handle stressful situations Background

More children seem to be suffering from stress as compared to three decades ago . Modern lifestyles are putting a lot of strain on the boy and girl child . The number of children on drugs for stress related illnesses has grown to 9 million in the last year alone (Rodgers...