The Influence Ineffective Coping Has on Adolescent Development Essay

Introduction Adolescence is the stepping-stone to adulthood. During this developmental milestone individuals critically develop physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually (Wetherill & Tapert, 2013). Amidst these changes adolescents develop higher cognitive skills and begin to establish their sense of self. This developmental process can be hindered when the adolescent experiences a loss of a loved one. Currently limited research has been conducted on the physical response of the adolescent population. Coping strategies identified to be used by adolescents included avoidance behaviours and self-medicating. The following paper investigates the influence ineffective coping has on adolescent development. Areas that will be comprehensively evaluated include: the physical responses of bereavement, avoidance and efforts to self-medicate. Physical Responses Restlessness, concentration difficulties and sleep disturbances act as physical stressors on the body and contribute to an adolescents’ ability to successfully facilitate the bereavement process. A study assessing the implementation of a Body Awareness Programme, targeted adolescents to develop their understanding of the bereavement process and physical symptoms (Bugge, Haugstvedt, Rokholt, Darbyshire & Solvi, 2012). The authors desired to introduce strategies that would support bereaved teens and offer possible techniques to effectively cope with the circumstance (Bugge et al., 2012). Results of the research demonstrate the necessary need to invest in bereaved adolescents due to debilitating effect it may have on them and their development (Bugge et al., 2012). This reinforces the negative effect ineffective coping has on this particular population and the need to intervene ea... ...ed youth. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(8), 828-833. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1450179429?accountid=13631 Liang, H., Olsen, J., Cnattingus, S., Vestergaard, M., Obel, C., Gissler, M., . . . Li, J. (2013). Risk of substance use disorders following prenatal or postnatal exposure to bereavement. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 132(1-2), 277-282. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.02.015 Monk, T. H., Germain, A., & Reynolds,Charles F., I.,II. (2008). Sleep disturbances in bereavement. Psychiatric Annals, 38(10), 671-678. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20081001-06 Wetherill, R., & Tapert, S. F. (2013). Adolescent brain development, substance use, and psychotherapeutic change. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(2), 393-402. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0029111