“You Can Count on Me”: The Power of Collectives in Navigating Teenage Anxieties
While listening to elderly folks we are surrounded by — be it family members, teachers, or acquaintances, recount their teenage experiences, it is interesting to notice how their recollections of the past are rich with memories that were made with the individuals and communities they grew up within. Most memories, rather than existing in isolation, are intertwined with the social contexts one resided in, deeply affirming the social nature of being human. However, not everyone has had a teenage period with vibrant stories of companionship to recall — many often recall the turbulent teenage years as those marked by alienation and a profound sense of loneliness. In the contemporary digital era, wherein individuals divide their time between online and offline spaces, many attest to the weakening of supporting bonds of companionship. At this juncture, it is imperative to remember the deeply affirming role of meaningful bonds during one’s adolescence, as it can help shape one’s identity and is directly proportional to one’s mental health landscape.
In a recent study on the importance of teenage friendships and mental health by Dr Joseph Allen for the Society of Research in Child Development, the indispensable role of companionship is highlighted as it is mentioned that “forming strong close friendships is likely one of the most critical pieces of the teenage social experience.” Research attests to the fact that teenagers who have good friends in adolescence tend to have better self-esteem levels and physical and mental health. Apart from that, individuals who had reliable and strong friendships during these formative years have also been observed to have relatively lower rates of anxiety and depression, a happier and more optimistic approach to life, stronger emotional regulation skills, improved cognitive function, and a sensitive approach of interacting with fellow human beings.
The American Psychological Association mentions how the sources of stress expand as children get older and how teens are more likely to be stressed by events or situations outside the space of the home. However, APA also mentions how peers can, after all, help buffer stress (or can also be a source of it in disconcerting circumstances), foregrounding the importance of social relationships in adolescence. Further, a 2017 study carefully observed the connection between adolescent support systems and levels of resilience, as researchers found friendships and family support to be positive predictors of immediate resilience. Close friendships, instead of family connections, were observed to be the strongest predictor for long-term resilience, once again affirming the power of meaningful friendships.
Though peer pressure and many adverse consequences can come out of negative teenage friendships, through healthy conversations, teenagers can be made aware of the constituents of a good friendship. While parents shouldn’t interfere to the point of controlling the friendships of their teenagers, they can convey the essence of meaningful friendships by walking their teenagers through the potential of an authentic connection, the transformative power of listening, the adverse consequences of peer pressure, the inevitability of conflict and necessity of resilience, and impermanence of all relationships. Thus, through healthy dialogue, a community of care can be fostered to provide teenagers with the support and resources they require to cultivate healthy friendships and navigate the tumultuous teenage years in the best way possible.
Sources:
https://www.mosaicpsychotherapycollective.ca/blog/how-changing-your-morning-routine-pdrz3
https://www.thrivetrainingconsulting.com/why-are-teen-friendships-so-important-to-mental-health/
https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/empowering-teens/teen-friendships/
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