The pressures of daily life are bound to bring us some amount of stress – but did you know that stress can affect our young ones, too? When a child or teen experiences stress, the results can create lasting damage and injure their ability to develop into a healthy, well-adjusted person. As parents, understanding the dangers of stress for young people is paramount to their well-being and ability to navigate the realities of life.
Stress is All Around Us
Recent studies shed light on the prevalence and impact of stress on young people in the United States, painting a concerning picture of its effects on mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. For instance, the American Psychological Association's Stress in America survey found that school-related stress is a significant concern for teenagers, with 31% of teens reporting feeling overwhelmed due to academic pressures. High-stakes testing, college admissions expectations, and the transitions associated with remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic have added to the academic stressors faced by young people.
Stress can also affect young children – in fact, The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child reports that young children can experience stress from various sources, including family dynamics, school environments, and societal factors. Their report emphasizes the impact of social and emotional stressors on young children's development. Factors such as family instability, caregiver stress, and exposure to adversity can heighten a child’s stress responses, as can transitioning to a new school or house.
How Children Suffer When Stress Goes Unchecked
When a child experiences chronic or prolonged stress without receiving dedicated support or learning coping mechanisms, it can have a variety of negative impacts on their development. Stress can take the form of physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, and fatigue in children. Chronic stress can also weaken the immune system, making children more susceptible to seasonal viruses. If prolonged stress goes untreated, it can contribute to long-term health consequences, including cardiovascular issues, gastrointestinal problems, and hormonal imbalances.
Chronic stress in childhood is linked to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Children experiencing chronic stress may show symptoms like heightened anxiety, mood swings, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. Stress can also impact children's behavior and emotional regulation, leading to challenges such as aggression, withdrawal, emotional outbursts, and difficulty managing emotions. When a child is under chronic stress, they are more likely to develop harmful coping strategies, such as substance use or self-harming behaviors.
Stress and Academics: A Double-Edged Sword
As noted above, school can be a major contributor to stress in children and teens. Stress-related symptoms, such as anxiety or perfectionism, can affect young people’s performance in school and their overall academic achievement. On the other hand, chronic stress that a child experiences at home or in their community can interfere with their cognitive functioning, attention span, and learning abilities. It may lead to academic difficulties, decreased motivation, and challenges with memory and problem-solving.
Children who face chronic stress may struggle with social interactions, peer relationships, and communication skills. They may exhibit withdrawal, social anxiety, or difficulties in forming and maintaining friendships. These sorts of stress-related behaviors and responses can impact children's ability to collaborate, cooperate, and engage positively in social settings, leading to social isolation or conflict.
Chronic Stress Takes a Long-Term Toll on Children
The effects of childhood stress can have sustained consequences that persist into adulthood. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with a higher risk of mental health disorders, substance abuse, chronic health conditions, and even early mortality in adulthood. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, with stress being a contributing factor.
Coping Strategies and Solutions for Parents
As parents, there are proactive steps you can take to help your children cope with stress effectively, build resilience, and foster a supportive environment for their growth and development. Here are a few places to start:
- Open Communication. Create a nonjudgmental, open environment for your child to express their feelings, concerns, and stressors without judgment. Listen actively and validate their emotions, showing empathy and understanding.
- Teach Healthy Stress Management: Encourage positive coping mechanisms such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, physical activity, and creative outlets like art or journaling. These techniques help reduce stress and promote emotional well-being – and many of them are fun to do together as a family.
- Impart Good Habits: Help your child prioritize self-care, balanced routines, and adequate sleep. Work with them to set realistic expectations and boundaries around academics, extracurricular activities, and screen time to prevent burnout.
- Celebrate Their Friendships: Encourage positive social connections, friendships, and involvement in supportive communities or activities that align with your child's interests and values. Social support buffers against stress and enhances resilience.
If your child's stress levels significantly impact their daily functioning, academic performance, or mental health, consider seeking professional support from a qualified therapist, counselor, or mental health provider. Therapy can provide personalized strategies, coping skills, and interventions tailored to your child's needs. At Maryvale, we take children’s stress management seriously and work with a community of practitioner partners to ensure that the young people and families in our community have access to comprehensive mental health care.
About Maryvale
Maryvale is the oldest children’s charity in Los Angeles, CA. Since 1856, Maryvale’s San Gabriel Valley location has been committed to the needs of underserved children and families, offering services such as mental health services, community-based services, early education services, wraparound services, teen and family services, and after-school programming.
From our Rosemead and Duarte campuses, our senior leadership team seeks to foster hope, empowerment, and change for vulnerable children and families. Maryvale’s staff includes numerous MSW, MAEd, LMFT, and MBA qualified members uniquely qualified to deliver a continuum of services designed to help families in need grow and stay together. Maryvale is a 501(c)(3) charity organization and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and has earned a Guidestar Seal of Transparency.
