Stress Test: Answer That's Key to Reducing Teen Tension Is Found in Close Family Ties
Boston Herald
Lauren Beckham Falcone
Novenber 20, 2000

SATs, midterms, jobs, college costs, zits, the prom, term papers . . .
Stressed?
Hanging out with friends, talking on the phone or playing a couple of rounds of Sega might make you feel better, but a study released last week by Simmons College shows close family ties help teens cope with stress.
``Parents don't give themselves enough credit on how much they influence their children,'' said Dina M. Carbonell, the study's author.
``Children see their parents as heroes and role models.''
Simmons' Graduate School of Social Work followed nearly 400 Massachusetts children for 22 years, starting when the kids were in kindergarten in 1976.
At key ages - 5, 9, 15, 18, 21 and 26 - the researchers interviewed the young people, their parents and their teachers about significant stresses in the kids' lives, their self-image and how well they were functioning.
Out of a group of 40 who had risk factors for depression - such as childhood health problems, family violence or a family history of depression - 25 were clinically depressed by age 26. The 15 who were not had positive self-images, were satisfied with their lives and were functioning well in jobs and relationships.
Why?
Researchers concluded that the 15 ``resilient'' subjects came from more ``cohesive'' families - families that communicate, make important decisions together and spend time with each other.
Child psychologist Alan Kaplan, who hosts ``Enough is Enough,'' a teen call-in program that airs on JAM'N 94.5 Sunday nights from 10 to midnight, said he's not surprised by the findings.
``Basically the way we deal with stress is through self-esteem,'' he said. ``Even if things seem tough, a teenager has to have a sense of being loved and being significant. That sense of confidence, that extra push from a parent, a you-can-handle-it, you're-important sort of advice, is crucial.''
Kaplan said teenagers can feel isolated, and an empathetic ear is key.
``Sometimes parents are always in the correcting mode, as in, `I'll show you how to fix this,' '' he said. ``But it's better when parents understand, when they say, of course you feel that way, maybe we can do this. And they've got to, because teenagers are under a lot of pressure.''
Indeed, 74 percent of teenage girls surveyed by Teen magazine and Sears reported that their lives are stressful. Other surveys found that American teens feel more stress than those in other countries, with one-third of American teens feeling overwhelmed at least once a day.
Unlike many American youths, Boston Latin Academy sophomore Chris Estremera asks for his parents' support when he's under stress.
``I want them to be involved, to ask me about my day and my problems,'' he said. ``I actually told my parents to do that. They didn't really ask about school or anything until I told them they should. And it was such a load off, knowing they were there for me. I think a strong relationship is really important.''
Teens said they thought parents' support was extremely important, but that they also rely on themselves.
``I think you've got to find strength within yourself,'' said 17-year-old Kerin Hannon, who starts her day at 5:30 a.m. and usually gets home around 6 p.m. and sometimes suffers stress-related headaches. ``I think a strong family is helpful, though. I know my parents are there for me.''
Andres Townes, 16, of Boston said he appreciates support from his family when he's under pressure, but he also realizes the stress won't compare to when he's an adult.
``It only gets worse,'' he said. ``Much worse.''
Talk back to Lauren B. Falcone

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This news story is not produced by the American Psychological Association and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the association.