Anxiety in adolescence. Can we prevent it?

Abstract

BackgroundEmotions are potent modulators and motivators of the behaviour that the individual displays in the different situations they have to live and they can act as a protection factor or vulnerability of the adapted or maladaptive behaviour. This study focuses on anxiety in adolescence. Objectives. The objective is, through a longitudinal study, to analyse the psychological processes and emotions that facilitate the symptoms of anxiety and those which protect the adolescent from these symptoms.Material and Methods417 adolescents (192 boys and 225 girls) participated in a three-wave longitudinal study in Valencia, Spain. In the first wave, adolescents were either in the third year of secondary school (81 boys and 85 girls) or the fourth year of secondary school (111 boys and 140 girls). The mean age was 14.70 (SD = 0.68; range = 13-17 years). This study monitored participating adolescents for three years.ResultsThe results indicate a differential profile in the evaluated emotions according to sex, with the girls being the ones to experiment more anxiety and more empathy, while the boys show more emotional instability and aggression.ConclusionsIt is concluded that the best predictors for anxiety are anger state, aggressive behaviour, empathic concern together with the lack of coping mechanisms focused on problem solving and the perception of stress as a threat. Key words:Adolescence, anxiety, emotions, coping, stress.

The Effects of Psychodrama on the Health of Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review

“…Also the existing studies about the effects of psychodrama are limited to the number of mental and or social health issues. Therefore, it is suggested that some studies be conducted on other topics, such as lack of coping mechanisms (Llorca, Malonda & Samper 2017), smoking control programs (Carolyn 2009), use of drug substances (Karatay and Gürarslan, 2017), and body dissatisfaction (Thompson et al 1999). The study of mental health including the feelings and emotions and also their influences in the people's behavior has gained popularity among researchers in the last decades (Llorca, Malonda & Samper 2017).…”

“…In the last decade, the study of feelings and their significance in behavior have gained much interest among researchers (Llorca, Malonda & Samper 2017). Recently, the psychological and social aspects of the clients' noncompliance have received much attention, too.…”

Depression, Anxiety, and Pubertal Timing: Current Research and Future Directions

“…[18][19][20] Likewise, anxiety has been shown to affect concentration, sleep, mood, and academic performance. [21][22][23] In general, depression is understood tobeacollectionofsymptomsrelatedtonegativeaffectoraninabilitytofeel pleasure, 6,18,24 whileanxietyisunderstoodtobeastateofnegativeemotional arousalwithanintensefocusonthefuture. 23,25 Theoreticalworkondepression andanxietysuggeststhatbothdisordersinvolveissueswithdownregulationof negativeaffect,butdepressionalsoinvolvesissueswithregulationofpositive affect.…”

“…27 Furthermore,itisimportanttonotethatmanypeopleexperiencesymptomsof depressionandanxietywithoutbeingdiagnosedwitheithercondition. [20][21] Data suggestthatfemaledepressionandanxietyratesarehigherthanmaledepressionratesthroughoutthelifespan. [28][29][30] Foradolescents,depressionandanxietyarethemostprevalentmentalhealth disorders.…”

Dietary intake of carotenoids and fiber is inversely associated with aggression score in adolescent girls

“…Recent studies of psychological well-being have focused on determinants of emotions and behavior (Llorca et al, 2017). Violence and aggression are considered to be important public health issues (Sadeghi et al, 2014).…”