Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
07:15
Social Defeat Stress Model for Adolescent C57BL/6 Male and Female Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
Common emotional problems of adolescence
Summary
Adolescence presents unique emotional challenges, including normal turbulence during independence seeking and potential over-dependence on physicians. Understanding these common emotional problems is key for supporting adolescents and their families.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent medicine
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by heightened emotional sensitivity and self-focus.
- Family dynamics are significantly impacted during adolescence, often necessitating professional intervention.
- The transition to independence during adolescence can manifest in varied behaviors, from running away to persistent dependency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline common emotional difficulties encountered during adolescence.
- To categorize these problems into those specific to adolescence, general psychiatric issues, and those linked to physical illness.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of emotional problems categorized into three main areas.
- Analysis of adolescent emotional sensitivity and self-centeredness.
- Exploration of behavioral responses to the drive for independence.
Main Results:
- Adolescence involves normal "acting out" behaviors as individuals seek independence.
- Some adolescents exhibit impulsive departures from the family unit.
- A subset of adolescents may develop an over-reliance on their physicians.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent emotional turbulence and varying degrees of independence-seeking are normal developmental processes.
- Over-dependent adolescents may place significant demands on healthcare providers.
- Comprehensive support for both the adolescent and the family is crucial during this life phase.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
01:27Emerging Adulthood
Jeffrey Arnett's concept of emerging adulthood offers a framework to understand the unique developmental stage between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, generally from ages 18 to 25. This period is marked by extensive exploration and shifts in identity, relationships, and career choices, a process known in psychology as role experimentation. Emerging adulthood reflects the evolving cultural expectations surrounding adulthood and the dynamic process of personal transformation during this...