Coping with Stress in Middle

and Late Adolescence

 Defining Stress
• It is defined as a reaction of the mind and body to a stimulus that disturbs
the well being, state of calm, or equilibrium of a person.

• Psychologist have agreed that small and sporadic amounts of stress can be
helpful and beneficial to individuals, while excessive amounts of stress
sustained over a lengthy period of time can be destructive to both physical
and mental health.
 Stress as Stimulus, Response and
Relational
• As a stimulus, stress is caused by situations that may be life threatening or
life changing. These situations or events are often called stressors.
• As relational is when a person experiencing stress takes a step back to
look at the situation that is causing the stress and assesses it. Assessment
here means that when the person allows reasoning to prevail and weigh
the relevance or irrelevance of the situation.
• As a response, is the way the body reacts to challenging situations. This
involves the interactions between the hormones, glands and nervous
system.
• Cortisol (stress hormone) – the production of this enables a person’s body to
produce the energy it needs to gear it toward action.
• Norepinephrine – triggers the body’s reaction, such as an increased heart rate, higher
blood pressure and respiration to prepare the body for action.
• Hans Selye, proposed General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to explain our
body’s response to stress.
• Alarm stage – mobilize resources
• Resistance stage – cope with stressor
• Exhaustion stage – reserves depleted
• Brain and Nerves – headaches, feelings of despair, lack of energy, sadness,
nervousness, anger, irritability, increased or decreased eating, trouble
concentrating, memory problems, trouble sleeping, mental health problems
• Skin – Acne and other skin problems
• Muscles and Joints – muscles aches and tension, increased risk of reduced
bone density
• Heart – faster heartbeat, risk in blood pressure, increased risk of high
cholesterol and heart attack
• Stomach – nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, weight gain
• Pancreas – increased risk of diabetes
• Intestines – diarrhea, constipation and other digestive problem
• Reproductive system – for women: irregular or more painful periods,
reduced sexual desire. For men: lower sperm production, reduced sexual
desire
• Immune system – lowered ability to fight or recover from illness
 Healthy Stress
• These types of stress can motivate, energize and spur an individual into fruitful
action.
• Bad stress can be transformed into good stress depending on how an individual
assesses the situation.

• Know your stressors

• External Stressors
• Internal Stressors
Samples of possible stressors a high school student faces

• School demands and expectations

• Selecting a school, college course or career
• Separation anxiety
• College life
• Romantic Relationships
• Family demands and expectations
• Health concerns
• Demands of social life
• Bullying
 Coping with Stress
• Conductive creative imagery of the problem
• Seek group or social support
• Get into relaxation activities
• Create a situation where you can feel more relaxed
• Learn to manage your time
• Eat properly
 Emotion-focused coping Problem-focused coping
behavior behavior
Eating more or eating less Talking with person concerned

Sleeping more or sleeping less Researching about the topic

Excessive playing of computer Talking with friends about their

games opinion
Crying, shouting Strategizing
Mental Health and Well-Being in
Middle and Late Adolescence
 Concepts of Mental Health and Well-
Being
• The World Health Organization (WHO) enumerated the following six factors or
aspects of mental health and well-being:
Subjective Well-Being
Mental health denotes positive and healthy interpretations of a person’s self-concept, and how a person feels
about himself.

Perceived Self-Efficacy
Mental health and well-being is also anchored on one’s self-worth and value.

Autonomy
Mentally healthy is having the capacity for self-direction and having a clearly defined role identity.
Competence
The perception of one’s capacity to effectively perform a function or activity using specific skills
and knowledge, and achieving the desired results at a given time.
Intergenerational Independence
The relationships between individuals who belong to different generations but may be living
separately as independent, autonomous persons during a specific period of time.
Self-Actualization of One’s Intellectual and Emotional Potential
This is about fulfilling one’s perceived potentials, becoming the person that one has always
aspired for.
• Key Characteristics of Self-actualized Individuals:
The have acceptance of their reality, and have compassion to help solve problems of other people and
society in general.
They are spontaneous with their thoughts and behavior, and are open to change.
They have a strong need for privacy and solitude as they continue to strive in fulfilling their
potentials.
They are highly appreciative of events and people and maintain their awe an wonder of the things
around them.
The may often experience peak experiences of intense joy and happiness which generate inspiration
and strength.
• Mental Health and Well-Being Model developed in 1991 by Witmer and Sweeney:
• The model includes what is referred to as the five life tasks:
1. Essence or spirituality
2. Work and leisure
3. Friendship
4. Love
5. Self-direction
• Sub-tasks as major components of wellness or well-being espoused by
Myers, Witmer, and Sweeney:
 Healthy Self-Concept at the Core of Mental
Health and Well-Being
• It is about understanding and accepting one’s personality, uniqueness, and
individuality.
• It is about having a spirituality that provides philosophical and existential
meaning to one’s life.

• Good Physical Health is Good for Mental Health

• Healthy Self-Concept + Healthy Mind and Body = Good Mental Health and Well-
Being
Challenges to Mental Health and Well-Being

• Mental health problem – a short term and temporary change

in a person’s thoughts, feelings or behavior that upsets one’s
well-being, interpersonal relationships, and productivity.
• Mental illness – refers to diagnosable mental disorders
characterized by changes in one’s thinking, feeling and
behavior, as well as in one’s relationships and productivity.
• Many adolescents are more susceptible to mental health concerns
primarily due to their underdeveloped brains and continuing changes in
their bodies. In addition, the adolescent is also going through tough times
in resolving their identity crisis and role confusion.
• Possible mental health challenges faced by adolescents worldwide based
from WHO:
Support for Mental Health

ADOLESCENT

GUIDANCE
COUNSELOR
• Five Popular Steps to Improve Mental Health
1. Connect
2. Be Active
3. Keep Learning
4. Give to Others
5. Take Notice