SESSION 2023-24

 We wish to express our deep gratitude

and our heartfelt thanks to our
English teacher Mrs. Pragya
Srivastava for her excellent guidance,
support, and encouragement without
which the successful completion of
this project wouldn’t have been
possible.

 It also gives us great pleasure in

expressing our gratitude for the
facilities that were provided by the
school.

 We also thank our parents for their

constant support and their painstaking
efforts and our fellow mates for their
useful opinion and inputs.
This is to certify that (NAME) of class XII
have successfully completed this project
report in English on the topic: STRESS
DURING ADOLOSCENCE. For partial
fulfilment of AISSCE as prescribed by the
CBSE in the year 2023-24.

TEACHER’S SIGN PRINCIPAL’S SIGN

EXTERNAL EXAMINER
 To know more about the Stress during
adolescence years
 To find the main cause about stress during
adolescence
 To know how it affects a student mentally and
physically
 To learn about some coping mechanisms
 To know if it is justified to be stressed out
during adolescence
 To select a suitable topic.
 Conduct a survey about the topic
 Writing down the report on the topic
 Analysing the responses and spread
awareness around it
 Lessons learned from the topic.
 INTRODUCTION
Stress during adolescence is a very
complex aspect of human development,
marked by the transition from childhood
to adulthood. Adolescence starts from the
age of 11 and ends by 18 – 19 years during
which the child experiences a lot of
challenges. The child is pressured from
different aspects of life. This period of
heightened stress can impact their
mental and emotional well-being which
might lead to long term consequences.
Addressing stress during adolescence is
essential for fostering healthy growth and
eliminating the risk of mental health
issues in this vulnerable age group.
 THE MAIN CAUSE
The primary cause of stress during
adolescence is the complex interplay of
physical, emotional, and social changes
that define this life stage. Adolescents
grapple with academic pressure, peer
relationships, and identity formation. The
quest for independence while still relying
on parental support can be challenging.
The concerns about body image, societal
expectations, and uncertain future
prospects contribute to stress. Coping
with these multifaceted stressors often
involves experimenting with risk-taking
behaviours, further intensifying the
emotional turmoil. Effective support
systems, communication, and coping
strategies are crucial in helping
adolescents navigate these challenges
and reduce the stress that accompanies
this critical developmental phase.
 HOW STRESS AFFECTS OUR
FUTURE

Adolescence is a critical period of

development marked by numerous
physical, psychological, and social
changes. It is also a time when
individuals experience a range of
stressors that can have profound and
lasting effects on their future well-being.
According to our survey we found that
majority people agree that there might be
long term effects to stress. Some major
points were:
1. Mental Health – High stress levels can
lead to anxiety, depression, and long-term
psychological struggles.
Early intervention and emotional support
are crucial in eliminating these effects
and fostering better mental health
outcomes in adulthood.
2. Physical health – Stress can contribute to
the development of chronic diseases like
cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and
obesity which can persist into adulthood.

3. Career Implications - The stress

experienced during adolescence can
impact career choices and job
performance, potentially leading to
reduced job satisfaction and financial
instability in adulthood.

4. Quality of Life - The cumulative effects of

stress during adolescence can diminish an
individual's overall quality of life, affecting
their general happiness and well-being.

5. Interpersonal relationships – Adolescents

exposed to stress may have difficulty
forming and maintaining healthy
relationships, which can have
repercussions on their future social and
family life.
 COPING MECHANISMS

Coping mechanisms play a very crucial role in

helping adolescents manage stress effective
and eliminate its adverse effects on their well-
being.

People have different ways of dealing with

stress, and some methods are more common
than others. Some methods are more active
and involve physical or mental activities, while
others are more passive and involve avoiding
or ignoring the stress.
Positive coping mechanisms empower
adolescents to navigate stress effectively.
Encouraging practices such as mindfulness,
physical activity can provide them with tools
to reduce stress and bolster emotional
resilience.
Some positive coping mechanisms are:
 Exercising – Regular physical activity
triggers the release of endorphins,
natural mood boosters, reducing
stress hormones. It also enhances
emotional regulation, leading to
improved stress management.
 Emotional support – Adults, including
parents, guardians, and teachers,
should offer a safe space for
adolescents to express their feelings,
fears, and concerns, providing
emotional support and guidance.
Q. Have you sought support or guidance when dealing
with stress as an adolescent?
 Many adolescents do not get enough
support from family and friends due to
which they turn to unhealthy ways to deal
with stress.
Some unhealthy ways to deal with stress are:
 Substance Abuse – Adolescents turn to
alcohol, drugs, or tobacco as a way to self-
medicate, but this can lead to addiction and
worsen stress.
 Self-harm - Some adolescents resort to self-
harming behaviours, such as cutting, as a
misguided coping mechanism, which poses
severe physical and emotional risks.
We conducted survey a to know how many use
unhealthy ways to deal with stress and these were
the results.
Q. Have you ever turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms
(e.g., substance abuse, self-harm, consumption of alcohol)
during times of stress in adolescence?
 AWARENESS ABOUT STRESS
DURING ADOLESCENCE
Awareness about stress during adolescence is
crucial. Adolescents face academic pressures,
peer conflicts, and identity development issues.
Understanding these stressors can help parents,
educators, and peers provide the necessary
support.
We asked about the awareness around this topic
in our survey and these were the results.
Q. How do you feel about the portrayal of adolescence
and stress in media and popular culture?

Educating adolescents about stress, its

physical and mental health consequences,
and available coping mechanisms empowers
them to take control of their well-being.
As most of the adolescents are Generation-Z kids, they
are much more familiar with media and different social
media applications. The media plays a very pivotal role
in raising awareness about these challenges which the
adolescents face on a daily basis.

 News Coverage - The media can highlight

stories and research related to stress in
adolescents, shedding light on the issue's
prevalence and impact. Such coverage can
help parents, educators, and policymakers
understand the significance of the problem.

 Social Media - Platforms like Instagram,

WhatsApp, and YouTube can be used to share
personal stories, coping strategies, and
mental health tips, making it more relatable
for young audiences.

 Documentaries - Long-form documentaries

can delve deep into the experiences of
adolescents dealing with stress, shedding
light on the challenges they face and the
importance of support.

 Blogs and Articles - Many online publications

and blogs are dedicated to mental health.
 CYBERBULLYING
A very important topic around which not
much awareness is there. A very prominent
stressor in adolescence, inflicts significant
emotional confusion. This form of
harassment, facilitated by digital platforms,
subjects young individuals to verbal abuse,
threats, or public humiliation, causing stress
and anxiety.
According to the survey we conducted, we found
approx. 15% have been through cyberbullying.

These numbers are very small than

compared to how many adolescents face
cyberbullying in their everyday life. The
constant connectivity of social media
exacerbates this issue, making it challenging
for adolescents to escape the torment.
Cyberbullying's emotional toll can lead to
long-lasting psychological distress, impacting
academic performance and self-esteem.
It is very important to address this issue but
to address this issue we require a multi-
faceted approach, involving schools, parents,
and digital platforms to educate, prevent, and
respond to cyberbullying, providing
adolescents with the support and strategies
needed to combat cyberbullying.
 GENDER INDENTITY INFLUENCE

Gender indentity profoundly affects stress

during adolescence. Adolescents grappling
with questions of gender often face unique
challenges. They may experience
discrimination, rejection, or bullying, which
can lead to heightened stress and mental
health concerns. Acceptance and support
from family, peers, and society are crucial
in mitigating this stress.
During this age adolescents often engage
ina process to better understand their
gender. For those with non-conforming
gender indentites, this exploration can be
particularly challenging, leading to stress
and confusion
In every aspect of life, support from family
plays a very pivotal role in mitigating
stress. Adolescents who face rejection or
lack of acceptance from their families due
to their gender can be very stressfull.
 CONCLUSION
Stress during adolescence is a common
and complex phenomenon that can have
various effects on the emotional, behaviour
and physical health of teenagers. Some of
the sources of stress for teens include
school pressure, career decisions, family
conflicts, peer relationships, and social
expectations. While some degree of stress
is normal and even beneficial for
development, excessive or chronic stress
can lead to problems such as mood
disruptions, conflict with parents, risk-
taking behaviours, sleep difficulties, eating
disorders, and mental health issues.
Therefore, it is important for teens to learn
how to cope with stress in healthy ways,
such as practicing mindfulness, journaling,
going outside, seeking support, and
engaging in hobbies. By doing so, teens can
reduce the negative impact of stress and
enhance their well-being and resilience.
The following sources were used for completion
of this project:-
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PM
C2850961/

 https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-
teens/mental-health-physical-health/stress-
anxiety-depression/stress-in-teens

 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/15/9114

Link for the conducted survey PDF file:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_xQjOdjiAmw2
M_4b1s9brseBg3BhBWT4/view?usp=drive_link