Adolescence is a tough time for many people. Teens are at a particularly challenging intersection of physical transitions, hormonal changes, brain development, social challenges, and navigating academic pressure. In a world where accomplishment, social status, and achievement-oriented “game plans” dominate the lives of young people, today’s teens and pre-teens are under unprecedented pressure.
The cumulative stresses and pressures younger generations face contribute to the decline in mental health in children across the country. Rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal behaviors tick upward every year, particularly among girls, people of color, and LGBTQ+ kids. Understanding how to support your teen in building “game plans” that are driven by their own values rather than external achievements can help them cultivate healthier, more balanced lives.
Key Takeaways
- A new study finds 81 percent of American teens experience negative pressure in areas like achievement, appearance, and having a “game plan” for their future.
- By helping your teen focus less on societal expectations and more on what matters to them, you can help them cultivate a more authentic sense of self and develop more resilience.
- A game plan that emphasizes balance, self-care, and realistic expectations empowers teens by helping them shift from performance-driven pressures to a focus on well-being.
- If your teen is struggling with the pressures of adolescence, Newport can help with mental health treatment for teen anxiety.
Understanding the Pressures Our Kids Face
Today’s teens face unprecedented expectations and pressures across many aspects of their lives. From social media to bullying to college admissions requirements, the sources of teen stress are surprisingly diverse. According to a new study by Common Sense Media, the President and Fellows of Harvard College, and the Trustees of Indiana University, a remarkable 81 percent of American teens report experiencing negative pressure in areas like achievement, appearance, and having a “game plan” for their future.
It makes sense that levels of student burnout are so high. Over one-quarter of teens report experiencing regular burnout symptoms like exhaustion, apathy, and loss of interest in the activities that once brought them joy. The study found six main types of pressure that impair overall child and teen mental health. These include:
- Game Plan. Over half of American teens feel an intense need to map out their future, leading them to worry about everything from college and career choices to relationships.
- Achievement. About 53 percent of teens report feeling pressure to excel and prove themselves in multiple areas, including grades, extracurriculars, and jobs.
- Appearance. In a world dominated by social media, 51 percent of teens feel the need to look their best or present themselves in a way that fits in with current trends. The constant pressure to curate a “perfect life” online makes it hard for young people to differentiate between who they are and who they feel they should be.
- Social Life. Around 44 percent of teens feel pressure to have a vibrant and constant social life, and compare themselves harshly to others who appear to have more thriving social lives.
- Friendship. About 41 percent of teens feel they need to be constantly available and supportive to friends, like responding to texts right away.
- Activism. Roughly 32 percent of young people feel pressure to do good things in the world or in their communities, stay on top of the news, and contribute to social justice causes.
These pressures aren’t unique to teenagers. Children and pre-teens also face the strain as they enter middle school and are exposed to similar expectations about appearance, grades, external pressures, and fitting in. They’re also undergoing puberty, which comes with challenges and transitions.
Creating a Healthier “Game Plan” to Reduce Pressure on Teens
The Common Sense study underscores teens’ desire to create a game plan for their future, including charting their achievement paths forward for 5, 10, or more years. The pressure to create a rigid game plan often stems from factors like academic pressures, underlying mental health issues like anxiety, perfectionism, and high parental expectations.
It’s natural for young people to have goals and plans for the future, but when the drive to achieve eclipses mental well-being, it’s time to find a healthier path. Creating a game plan that emphasizes balance, self-care, and realistic expectations empowers teens by helping them shift from performance-driven pressures to goals that are centered on well-being.
A healthy game plan can help teens:
- Focus on personal growth rather than constant success.
- Embrace self-care as part of their routines, prioritizing sleep, exercise, and downtime.
- Set goals that reflect their unique interests and personalities, instead of conforming to external pressures.
- Find a supportive network where they feel safe to express themselves without judgment or comparison.
Questions?
We know that reaching out can be difficult.
Our compassionate team of experts is here to help.
Call us at 877-929-5105
or complete the form below.
How to Help Your Teen Combat the Pressure to Succeed
When young people can set goals rooted in personal growth and self-compassion, they’re better equipped to manage stress and find fulfillment on their own terms. By focusing less on societal expectations and more on what genuinely matters to them, teens cultivate a more authentic sense of self, develop more resilience, and have fewer mental health problems.
However, teens need support to make this shift, and parenting style plays a crucial role. As a parent or caregiver, you can help by encouraging your child to view their achievements through the lens of their own strengths and values, rather than societal expectations.
Here’s how you can help your teen create a healthy game plan for their future:
Model Active Listening
Active listening includes empathizing with your child’s experiences, asking thoughtful questions, refraining from interrupting, and not judging or berating your child for their emotions or thoughts. Practicing active listening creates space for your teen to embrace their authentic self. It builds parent-child trust and helps cultivate secure, healthy attachment.
Encourage Self-Reflection Over Social Comparison
Encouraging teens to focus on self-reflection rather than comparison can help them set goals that align with their personal values and interests. Teens compare their own lives and values to others on social media, but these standards are often unrealistic and cookie-cutter. This approach can reduce feelings of inadequacy by shifting their attention away from societal norms and toward a deeper understanding of what matters to them individually.
Foster Healthy Habits
Self-care is a powerful tool for teens. Encourage regular sleep, physical activity, family screen downtime, and joyful hobbies or play. Teens who get adequate rest and exercise are less likely to experience burnout, yet over 10percent report never getting seven hours of sleep or one hour of exercise weekly. Carving out time for rest and health on a weekly level is not enough – teens need daily down time and recuperation.
Reframe Success as Learning
Helping teens see setbacks as learning opportunities rather than personal failures can make a significant impact on their self-esteem and resilience. Encourage healthy teen skills like adopting a “growth mindset” and viewing mistakes as neutral and normal. When teens can reframe success as a continuous journey of learning rather than an endpoint, they’re less likely to feel so much pressure to achieve a particular outcome.
Talk Openly About Mental Health
Creating an open environment for discussing mental health has a powerful, positive effect on teens. When you model and normalize conversations about stress, anxiety, and burnout, they learn that it’s okay to reach out for help when they feel overwhelmed. An open dialogue not only reduces stigma but also reminds teens that they’re not alone in their struggles and that support is available.
Teen Treatment at Newport Academy
If your teen is struggling with the pressures of adolescence, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Teen treatment at Newport Academy supports your family with relational, emotional, and physical healing.
Our levels of care include adolescent residential treatment and teen outpatient programs so your family gets the support you deserve, no matter what you’re dealing with. Regardless of the program you choose, we address underlying causes of mental health struggles and help your teen navigate the pressures of life in a healthier, more balanced way.
Each program includes individual, group, and family therapies to address underlying mental health problems, heal parent-child rifts, and instill genuine connection. Plus, every teen gets access to a comprehensive team of specialists, including:
Start your healing journey today. To learn more about teen treatment at Newport and see whether it’s right for your family, contact us for a free teen mental health assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Unpacking Grind Culture in American Teens: Pressure, Burnout, and the Role of Social Media, 2024
