Change in Attitudes, Interest and Interpersonal Relationships:
The adolescence brings a change in the habitual pattern of behavior, attitude and personality. There are marked changes in the adolescent’s social interest. Adolescents use new set of values in selection of friends and social grouping. The choice of friends depends more on similar interests and values. The peer group influences the attitudes, values and behavior more than the child’s own family. Interest in world affairs, politics and government often develops during this period. Some of the recreational interests during adolescence are sports and games, scholastic and extracurricular activities. There is genuine desire to help others and engaging in benevolent activities like collecting funds for a cause, arranging charity show etc. This also helps the adolescent to learn to adjust in variety of situations. It must be noted that along with these changes adolescence also brings in negative syndrome like being self-centered, showing off, emotional immaturity, stubbornness, irritability, unsatisfactory relationship with the family and other unattractive personality traits. Many adolescents are frequently confronted with a wide range of negative emotions that interfere with their ability to function effectively in academic, vocational and social settings. Emotions such as anger, depression and anxiety can vary in intensity from mild to severe and can be triggered by both acute and chronic factors. As adolescents struggle to cope with the challenges of identity development, learning to effectively respond to the emotional demands they encounter from day to day is essential to their success in school, work and social settings “Students can learn how and when to use rational processes to override their emotions, or to hold them in check Since adolescence is marked not only with sexual developments but emotional also, psychologists suggest that individuals going through this stage must be given proper care and education. Another feature is psychological weaning which reflects in their desire for independence from parents. There is development of specific abilities according to interests. They choose an idol for themselves and hero worship is common. Idols are selected which appeal them most such as a sports-person.
With puberty, powerful increase in instinctual demands, impulsiveness and sexual arousal can be witnessed. Daydreaming helps them to actualize all wishes. They develop an interest towards natural beauty, arts, music, poetry, literature etc. It would not be wrong if we say that an adolescent is selfish for love as he is ready and willing to sacrifice every thing for the person whom he loves. It is mostly seen why teenage girls leave their family for sake of lover. It is not entirely their fault but this age is characterized by complete inclination. Pressure from outside may lead them to seclusion when they want to spend time all alone. Since they oscillate between extremes – on one side they have spirit of independence and on the other want of emotional security.
Coping with stress:
Adolescents react to stress in much the same ways as adults do. Common reactions are excitement, fear, anxiety, sadness, and anger. The behavior of an adolescent who is stressed may change, but each adolescent reacts in a different way. Some adolescents withdraw from others, some lash out at others, and some actively seek the comfort of others. Although adolescents cope with stress in different ways, there are general patterns in their coping behaviors. There are two major ways to cope with stress.
1. Problem solving -This involves trying to deal with the problem by changing the situation or getting rid of the problem.
2. Managing emotions -This involves handling the thoughts and feelings caused by the problem.
Adolescents use both methods, and both can be effective, depending on what the problem is and when it started. Studies show that people, who deal with their problems, see the positive side of difficult situations, and take part in activities they enjoy are more likely to be well-adjusted. Acting to solve problems often requires planning. Sometimes it requires learning new skills. For example, coping with poor grades might require learning study skills and making time to complete homework. Coping with feeling left out might require learning social skills. An example of seeing the positive side would be focusing on your team's good performance even though they lost the game.
Managing emotions can be very helpful when an adolescent is dealing with an uncontrollable problem. It can also be helpful in the early stages of coping with a problem. For example, blowing off steam, avoidance, and distraction can be important ways of getting prepared to cope more directly with difficult situations. Studies show that the most common ways young adolescents cope with stress are listening to music and watching television. Another way of resolving stressful situations is to find meaning in the experience. It helps if teens can see that something good is coming out of the problem. Finally, doing something enjoyable provides time out from stress. It often "recharges batteries" so the person can go back to dealing with stress. The help, encouragement, and support from adult members during times of stress can help adolescents manage with their problems and develop skills to cope with future difficulties.
