A descriptive study on adolescent stress levels and social support networks

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the stress levels, coping strategies, and the perceived social support networks of 62 male and female adolescents age 12.5-18 years in Portage and Shawano County. Of these 62 adolescents, 24 remain at home and 38 are placed in a residential treatment facility. The Survey of Stress Management and Coping Mechanisms of Adolescents developed by the author to collect data from adolescents. The Survey contained questions that focused on identifying and comparing both group’s use of social support networks, interest in learning new copping strategies, aggressive behaviors, and concern for peers. Significant findings include teens in a residential facility indicate a greater rate of physically acting out aggression against other persons and expressed a greater desire to find alternative copping strategies when dealing with aggression. Males felt more support from teaching staff than did females. Both genders and groups desired further knowledge on stress and time management skills and the opportunity to obtain these skills through the school or community.