Progression Through Adolescence

Early adolescence (11-14 years)

Middle adolescence (14-16 years)

may use humour as a coping strategy attempts to cope with anxieties about friendships shows an awareness of coping strategies that help deal with difficult emotions (e.g. distracting themselves from worrying about things out of their control) understands that it may be harder to carry out coping strategies that deal with difficult emotions aware of strategies which help to overcome stress avoids potentially negative situations plans activities to distract themselves from negative emotions considers personal values when choosing a coping strategy from approximately 13 years (e.g. if achieving high grades at school is important to the adolescent, they are more likely to choose problem solving or information seeking strategies to cope with a heavy work load, rather than use escape/avoidant strategies)

demonstrates an awareness of the importance of managing one’s emotions has better control over emotions caused by interpersonal conflict o thinks carefully about the complexities of relationships and uses insight to develop strategies to deal with conflicts and think about what to do differently next time shows increased resistance to peer pressure, coping with the associated emotions

integrates information from various sources when developing a coping response seeks professional health advice when needed

Coping

15

Late adolescence (16-19 years)

considers long term goals when choosing a coping strategy (e.g. if the adolescent has a long term goal to stay fit and healthy, they may choose to do exercise and avoid using substances to deal with stress) looks to peers for social support (see Socialisation) shows increased confidence in choosing strategies to deal with conflict uses positive thinking to cope with difficult emotions considers the consequences of their actions, resulting in better management of emotional impulses typically demonstrates increased resilience