Lesson One: Teen Stressors, Signs, and Symptoms

Welcome to Class 

    Adolescence is a fundamental stage where transition and growth are marked by many physical, mental, and emotional changes. These changes have a direct effect on the health and wellbeing of the individual (Kallianta et al., 2021). It is vital that parents become experts on their children, understanding what triggers their stress, and how it manifests within them. When stress is recognized early on and effective coping strategies are used, the long-term effects of chronic stress can be reduced.

  

    This online workshop was created by Marquita Rhodehouse and Jessica Trinkella through Brigham Young University-Idaho's Teaching Family Life Education program. As mothers of teenagers and students in the Marriage and Family Studies/Family and Human Services, we both have witnessed firsthand how challenging it can be for parents to navigate the adolescent years. Our goal is to provide parents and caregivers with evidence-based knowledge, tools, and insights to help them guide their teens through stressful times with greater confidence, understanding, and empathy. 

    Throughout the four lessons, you will learn how to: 

• Lesson One: Identify common stressors that affect teens, recognize how stress manifests across different types of situations, and understand the changes happening in the adolescent brain. 
• Lesson Two: Explore emotional awareness and regulation, discuss how they serve as protective factors for stress, and learn coping strategies and relaxation tools to support your teen’s mental health. 
• Lesson Three: Strengthen communication skills and discover how empathy, validation, and modeling positive coping can build trust and emotional safety.  
• Lesson Four: Apply what you’ve learned through reflection, goal setting, and practice real-life situations to help your teen manage stress in healthy ways.  

    By the end of this course, parents and caregivers will be better prepared to guide their teens through stressful moments with patience, understanding, and confidence. Together, we’ll focus on creating a supportive environment that will promote emotional growth and resilience for both teens and families.

Why Adolescents Are Vulnerable to Stress 

    Think back to when your teen began to express a desire for more independence, wanting to make their own choices, challenging the rules, and expressing strong emotions and opinions. What you were witnessing wasn’t just a “typical teenage attitude” but evidence that their brain was starting to change and develop. As teens move from childhood to adulthood, their brains take on a massive remodeling project that shapes how they think, feel, and respond to stress. The limbic system, which drives the emotions and reward-seeking sections of our brains, develops before the prefrontal cortex, the planning, decision making, and self-controlling part (Sheth et al., 2017). This uneven growth can make teens more sensitive to stress and more likely to allow emotions to drive their actions. 

    When stress turns chronic, it interferes with brain development, disrupts communication within the brain, and makes it harder for teens to regulate their emotions, focus on tasks, and make healthy choices (Cummings et al., 2022). Eventually, it can increase the risk for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance use (Sheth et al., 2017).  

    To get a better understanding of what happens within the teenage brain, watch the following video. Dr. Daniel Siegel does an amazing job explaining the changes happening during this phase and helps us see that adolescence isn’t just an unstable roller-coaster of chaos, but a time of growth and opportunity. The changes teens go through that cause emotional and impulsive behaviors also allow them to be creative, curious, and willing to try new things.  

Let's Discuss

After watching the video, take a few minutes to contemplate the following questions. 

• How does understanding the brain’s development help you make sense of your teen's emotional ups and downs? 
• Has there been a recent situation where your teen’s reaction made more sense after considering what’s happening in their brain? 
• How might you approach your teen differently the next time they are stressed or upset? 

Emotional and Psychological Signs of Stress in Teens 

    Stress affects all of us differently, but for teens, it can be especially intense and confusing. As parents, we watch them navigate new responsibilities, friendships, and expectations, all while their brains and bodies are still growing. When the demands of school, social life, and family start to feel heavier than they can handle, emotional and psychological signs of stress often show up first (Lee, Neppl, Russell, & Lohman, 2024; Nagabharana et al., 2021). 

    One of the most common ways stresses show up in teens is through anger or irritability. You might notice your teen arguing more than usual, being sarcastic, or getting frustrated over small things. Sometimes, when families are under emotional or financial strain, parents might unintentionally express more frustration, and teens pick up on that and mirror it (Lee et al., 2024). What looks like “attitude” or “defiance” is often their way of showing emotional distress. When your teen lashes out, it’s not always about rebellion, but it’s often their way of expressing feelings they don’t yet know how to handle. 

    Stress can sometimes escalate into more aggressive behaviors. Teens under constant pressure from school, friends, or family, may act out when they feel trapped or powerless (Nagabharana et al., 2021). You might see them talking back, having angry outbursts, or even getting into fights. One way we can help is by giving them safe ways to channel these feelings, like through sports, journaling, or open conversations. Helping them express themselves safely can prevent stress from building up and spiraling. 

    On the other hand, some teens internalize their stress and show it through worry or fear. They might constantly fret about grades, fitting in, or disappointing family members. Excessive worry can interfere with sleep, concentration, and motivation, eventually leading to cycles of anxiety and avoidance (Nagabharana et al., 2021). You may notice your teen hesitating to try new activities or obsessing over small mistakes. One of the most helpful things parents and caregivers can do is have honest, judgment-free conversations that help them feel heard and supported. 

    If stress continues without relief or support, it can turn into more serious conditions like anxiety or depression. Teens facing economic challenges or living in homes with high emotional strain may be more at risk for feeling sad, hopeless, or withdrawing from others (Lee et al., 2024). As parents, we might notice a loss of interest in hobbies, changes in sleep or appetite, or a drop in energy and motivation. These are not signs of laziness, but signs that your teen’s emotional “tank” may be running low. Catching these signs early and offering compassionate support is crucial in helping teens build resilience and cope with stress (KhanAcademyMedicine, 2020). This next video discusses the different signs of teen depression and how parents can help their children. Take special note of the signs and think about signs you may have noticed in your own teen.

 

Let's Discuss

After watching the video, take a few moments to reflect on the following questions: 

• Over the past couple of weeks, have you noticed any changes in your teens’ mood, energy, or interactions that might signal emotional stress? 
• How does your teen typically express anger, fear, or sadness? How do you usually respond? 
• What small steps can you take this week to create more emotional safety for your teen (for example, setting aside time to listen, validating their feelings, or modeling calm responses to stress)? 

Physical Complaints of Teen Stress 

    Stress doesn’t just affect how teens feel emotionally. It can show up in their bodies too. Many teens under constant stress start having physical complaints, even when there is no obvious medical reason. Headaches, stomachaches, and sleep problems are common ways their bodies signal that things are getting overwhelming (Zisopoulou & Varvogli, 2022). As parents, recognizing these warning signs can help us support their overall well-being. 

    Headaches are one of the most common physical signs of stress. Teens dealing with school pressure, social conflicts, or tension at home often report headaches that make it hard to focus or concentrate in class (Zisopoulou & Varvogli, 2022). What might seem like “just another complaint” could actually be your teen’s body telling you they are under a lot of stress. 

    Stomachaches are also frequent. Chronic worry, anxiety, or emotional strain can disrupt the digestive system, causing real discomfort even when there’s no illness (Zisopoulou & Varvogli, 2022). You may notice your teen complaining about stomachaches before school, tests, or social events. These aren’t just excuses but are connected to the stress they’re feeling inside. 

    Other stress-related symptoms can include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and trouble sleeping. Teens who are stressed may spend hours worrying or using screens to distract themselves, which can make it harder to fall asleep and increase irritability and difficulty focusing the next day (Qian, Jin, Lu, & Zhao, 2024; Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023). 

What parents can do

• Notice patterns within your teen's symptoms, like headaches before tests or social events. 
• Respond with empathy, not frustration. 
• Encourage healthy coping strategies such as relaxation, exercise, or talking about their feelings.  

Let’s Discuss

• How do you usually respond when your teen says they’re experiencing a physical symptom like a headache or stomachache? 
• What small lifestyle or emotional support changes could you make at home to help your teen reduce physical tension and rest more effectively? 

Behavioral and Functional Impacts of Stress 

    Stress doesn’t just affect emotions or the body; it also changes how teens act and function day to day. When stress sticks around, it can interfere with routines, decision-making, and healthy coping skills, impacting school, friendships, and overall well-being (Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023; Nagabharana et al., 2021). 

School performance: Teens dealing with high levels of stress often struggle academically. You may notice sudden drops in grades or reluctance to do homework. This isn’t laziness but the result of stress overwhelming their ability to focus and engage (Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023; Kallianta et al., 2021). 

Maladaptive coping: Some teens cope with stress by avoiding responsibilities, hiding their feelings, or overthinking negative experiences (Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023; Tu, Cai, & Li, 2020; Nagabharana et al., 2021). These strategies may give temporary relief, but they usually make stress worse over time. Helping teens develop healthy coping skills such as journaling, problem-solving, or structured relaxation can make a big difference. 

Risky behaviors: Stress can sometimes push teens to experiment with things like alcohol, smoking, or unsafe driving as a way to deal with tension or feel in control (Nagabharana et al., 2021). Open conversations, guidance, and modeling healthy ways to manage stress can help reduce these risks. 

Compulsive habits: You may also notice teens spending too much time on screens, gaming, or engaging in repetitive behaviors. While these activities may temporarily distract from stress, too much can interfere with sleep, school, and relationships (Kallianta et al., 2021; Nagabharana et al., 2021; Tu et al., 2020; Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023). Parents and caregivers can help by setting healthy boundaries, encouraging offline activities, and teaching alternative stress management strategies. 

Let's Discuss 

• Have you noticed changes in your teen’s behavior, such as withdrawal, irritability, or declining grades, that could be signs of stress? 
• How does your teen usually cope? Do they talk about it, avoid it, or turn to screens or gaming? 
• What steps can you take to encourage healthier coping and provide support during stressful times? 

Common Causes of Adolescent Stress 

    Understanding what causes stress in teens can help us anticipate challenges and know how to support them. Stress rarely comes from just one thing. Usually, it’s a mix of academic, family, social, internal, and environmental pressures. These pressures often overlap, affecting our teen’s emotions, behavior, and even physical health (Lee et al., 2024; Nagabharana et al., 2021; Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023). 

    Many teens feel pressure to succeed from parents, teachers, or peers. Heavy coursework, frequent tests, and long study hours can be overwhelming (Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023). Teens may also put pressure on themselves through perfectionism or fear of failure, which can increase anxiety and worry (Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023; Nagabharana et al., 2021). We might notice them obsessing over grades, hesitating to try new things, or being overly critical of themselves. 

    Where teens learn and socialize makes a big difference. Competitive classrooms, unsupportive teachers, or negative peer interactions can make stress worse. On the other hand, positive school environments and supportive friends can help buffer stress (Nagabharana et al., 2021). 

    Stress at home can also weigh heavily on teens. Financial difficulties, parental emotional strain, or family conflict can increase stress levels (Lee et al., 2024). Teens may feel pressure to act more responsibly than their age or worry about disappointing their parents. Conflicts at home or feeling misunderstood can make emotional and behavioral symptoms worse (Nagabharana et al., 2021; Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023). When we provide support, guidance, and emotional availability, it helps our teens feel safer and better able to cope with their stressors. 

Social and Internal Stressors 

Peer Issues: Friendships and acceptance are very important. Bullying, social exclusion, or pressure to fit in can increase stress and affect mood and behavior (Nagabharana et al., 2021). 

Gender-Specific Stressors: Teens may feel pressure from societal or cultural expectations about how they “should” behave, which can increase worry and self-consciousness (Nagabharana et al., 2021). 

Maladaptive or Compulsive Behaviors: Some teens cope by spending too much time gaming, scrolling through social media, or repeating certain behaviors. These may provide short-term relief but can interfere with sleep, school, and relationships (Kallianta et al., 2021; Nagabharana et al., 2021). 

    To hear how these challenges feel from a teen’s perspective, the video Teen Stress from a Teen Perspective by Michaela Horn offers a firsthand look at the pressures adolescents face and the strategies they use to manage them.  

Let’s Discuss

• How do you see the balance between academic expectations and your teen’s well-being? 
• What strategies can you use to keep communication open about stress with your teen? 
• How can you help your teen develop healthy coping skills for school and social pressures? 
• Are there ways you can collaborate with your teens’ school to create a more supportive environment? 
• What changes could you make in your approach to helping your teen manage stress? 

Resilience and Coping 

    There are two powerful protective factors when it comes to decreasing the effects of stress: emotional awareness and emotional regulation (Barrett et al., 2001). Emotional awareness simply means recognizing and understanding the feelings that come up when they happen. Teens that can identify what they are feeling gain information about what is going on inside them and how to respond to it. Understanding and recognizing their different emotions will help them decide whether they should act, reflect, or find ways to shift their mood (Barrett et al., 2001). For example, if a teen is able to distinguish between feeling angry or feeling hurt, it allows them to make better choices on how to cope with that specific emotion. 

    Emotional regulation comes after identifying their emotions. It involves using coping strategies that help balance their strong emotions rather than allowing the emotions to take control. This skill supports good mental health and overall well-being. How can parents help their teens build emotional regulation? By focusing on resilience, self-esteem, and social support, adolescents develop stronger emotional regulation skills (Surzykiewicz et al., 2022).  

    In fact, parental support is a vital part of supporting teens in moving toward resilience and coping. It increases adaptive coping strategies and decreases maladaptive strategies (Zimmer-Gembeck et al., 2023). What are adaptive and maladaptive strategies? Watch this video to learn the difference between the two. 

Let’s Discuss

Take a few minutes and contemplate the information in the video. 

• Which coping strategy do you think your teen uses most? What about yourself? 
• How could you help your teen shift from using maladaptive strategies to adaptive ones? 
• What are some adaptive coping strategies you might encourage or model for your teen? 

    Understanding the difference between the two coping strategies will help you model healthier ways of responding to stress. When parents model positive coping, they show their teens that stress is a part of life and that it can be managed in healthy ways. 

    Next time, we are going to take this a step deeper. Lesson Two is all about understanding our adolescents’ emotions. It is called “Decoding Feelings: Boosting Emotional Awareness.” We’ll talk about the power of naming emotions, modeling calm talk, and learn about functional ways to help our adolescents (and ourselves) handle big feelings. Because when we can understand what’s really behind their emotions, we don’t just react, we connect. And that’s where real growth happens. 

References 

• Barrett, L. F., Gross, J., Christensen, T. C., & Benvenuto, M. (2001). Knowing what you’re feeling and knowing what to do about it: Mapping the relation between emotion differentiation and emotion regulation. Cognition and Emotion, 15(6), 713–724. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930143000239 
• Cummings, C., Lansing, A. H., & Houck, C. D. (2022). Perceived strengths and difficulties in emotional awareness and accessing emotion regulation strategies in early adolescents. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 31(9), 2631–2643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02352-8 
• Ettienne-Murphy. (2025, April 6). Is it a maladaptive or an adaptive response? Psychology. YouTube. https://youtu.be/qCPmI3KMsuM?si=uMUveJ21Ep-o6EFc 
• Horn, M. (2017, December 13). Teen stress from a teen perspective. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhG-VoRtkKY   
• Kallianta, M., Katsira, X., Tsitsika, A., Vlachakis, D., Chrousos, G., Darviri, C., & Bacopoulou, F. (2021). Stress management intervention to enhance adolescent resilience: a randomized controlled trial. EMBnet.Journal, 26(1), 967. doi:https://doi.org/10.14806/ej.26.1.967 
• KhanAcademyMedicine. (2020, August 26). Signs of teen depression and how to help [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCki-dZthRI 
• Lee, J., Neppl, T. K., Russell, D. W., & Lohman, B. J. (2024). The role of resilience in the impact of family economic adversity on youth emotional distress over time. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 53(2), 374–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01872-w 
• Nagabharana, T. K., Joseph, S., Rizwana, A., Krishna, M., Barker, M., Fall, C., Kumaran, K., & Krishnaveni, G. V. (2021). What stresses adolescents? A qualitative study on perceptions of stress, stressors and coping mechanisms among urban adolescents in India. Wellcome Open Research, 6, 106. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16818.1 
• Qian, Y., Jin, Y., Lu, C., & Zhao, Y. (2024). Parental emotional support and adolescent stress-related somatic symptoms: The mediating role of coping strategies. Journal of Adolescent Health, 74(3), 451–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.10.007 
• randomactsofkindness. (2018, November 5). Unlocking the adolescent mind: Insights from Dr. Siegel. YouTube. https://youtu.be/0O1u5OEc5eY?si=dGusJkPMdXfMrb_q 
• Sheth, C., McGlade, E., & Yurgelun-Todd, D. (2017). Chronic Stress in Adolescents and Its Neurobiological and Psychopathological Consequences: An RDoC Perspective. Chronic stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 1, 2470547017715645. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547017715645 
• Surzykiewicz, J., Skalski, S. B., Sołbut, A., Rutkowski, S., & Konaszewski, K. (2022). Resilience and regulation of emotions in adolescents: Serial mediation analysis through self-esteem and the perceived social support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13), 8007. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138007 
• Tu, K. M., Cai, T., & Li, X. (2020). Adolescent coping with academic challenges: The role of parental socialization of coping. Journal of Adolescence, 81, 27–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.03.008 
• Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Skinner, E. A., Scott, R. A., Ryan, K. M., Hawes, T., Gardner, A. A., & Duffy, A. L. (2023). Parental support and adolescents’ coping with academic stressors: A longitudinal study of parents’ influence beyond academic pressure and achievement. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 52(12), 2464–2479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01864-w 
• Zisopoulou, V., & Varvogli, L. (2022). Stress and psychosomatic symptoms in adolescence: Understanding the mind–body connection. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 19(1), 22–34.