By: Alina B. John
Introduction
Access to a supportive environment and community are essential components of healthy living for everyone. Teenagers are especially affected by this. This is because adolescence is a critical period in the development of daily routines, mental health, decision-making, and social skills. The result of youth adolescence can be significantly affected by having a support system in place. This paper aims to study the impact of social support on teens as well as how teens can build connections with their peers and those around them.
Definition of key terms
・Support system: It refers to a network of people who provide a person with emotional, mental, and practical support.
・Resilience: The ability to overcome difficulties
Influence of support systems on teen resilience
As they promote healthy adversity responses and maintain post-trauma growth, social support, and resilience are regarded as protective factors for mental health. Resilience is a good mental attribute that helps people resist the harmful effects of stressors, cope better with hardships or
stressful situations, feel less depressed, and achieve a higher degree of subjective well-being. Numerous studies have attested to the critical impact resilience has played in fostering mental wellness and averting mental diseases. In the realm of mental health, resilience was considered the safeguard against psychological problems including strain and loneliness.
In 1971, Uriel Foa introduced Resource Theory, a social psychological framework for comprehending interpersonal relationships and social interactions in daily life. The fundamental idea of the theory is that people rarely meet their physical and psychological needs on their own and that social interactions and relationships give people the opportunity to get the resources they need from other people.
This proves that social support systems play a monumental role in helping teens cope with challenges and overcome adversities.
Influence of social support systems in helping with stress management
Whenever you sense a threat—ranging from physical harm to social embarrassment to unexpected financial issues—your sympathetic nervous system activates, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. You will observe a rise in your blood pressure, your muscles tighten, and your breathing becomes faster. These sensations may not always be pleasant, but they are designed to assist you in escaping or confronting the perceived threat.
Although the “fight or flight” response serves a biological function, ongoing stress can continually activate it, potentially leading to significant health issues over time. It may weaken your immune system, elevate your chances of cardiovascular disease, and worsen existing issues such as depression and memory problems.
Social engagement can serve as a countermeasure to the "fight or flight" reaction. Engaging with others prompts your body to produce hormones that induce a feeling of tranquility and other uplifting emotions. It's your body's method of prompting you to let your defenses down and unwind. During this process, your nervous system stabilizes and achieves a more typical and balanced condition.
According to Stress, Social Support and the Buffering Hypothesis by Cohen .S and William Thomas. A, social support can act as a coping strategy when dealing with stress. People with good social networks also perceive stress less generally and react physiologically less strongly to pressures in life. Perhaps with a friend in the car, the busted transmission doesn't seem so terrible. Or maybe when your partner or sibling goes with you, an otherwise stressful errand becomes more of an adventure.
When the tension becomes unbearable, social support can also be a source of consolation. Taking care of a sick loved one, dealing with a traumatic occurrence, or working long hours at a high-stress job may be the cause of your physical or mental exhaustion. The psychological anguish associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or even the detrimental health impacts of burnout can be mitigated by having the love and support of those around you. Therefore, talking to people can be a favorite stress-reduction technique, regardless of whether you're suffering from ongoing stress or daily annoyances.
How to improve support networks
・Set goals: When it comes to meeting new people and trying to expand your social circle, it is very important to set realistic small goals like- “I will invite that girl from my biology class for lunch” or “I will try to talk to my new classmate”. Not only do such goals help one become more outgoing and improve their social skills overall but it also helps those that are shy and introverted to step out of their bubble and approach others.
・Be aware of why you might not have an adequate social circle: For example, if you are shy and anxious then trying some relaxation techniques, asking for support from existing friends, and learning to gather the courage to approach people are small steps that can help one in expanding their circle.
・Meet new people: Learn to adapt to your surroundings and be willing to meet new people. Step out of your comfort zone and attend social events, approach others, and try to be as approachable to others as you can.
・Get closer to people you already know: While forging new bonds is important, it is equally important to give importance to those friendships and relationships that you already have. Call up a friend and check up on them, invite a friend or an acquaintance to lunch, offer a listening ear to those who need it, etc.
References
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・Cao, F., Li, J., Xin, W., & Cai, N. (2024). Impact of social support on the resilience of youth: mediating effects of coping styles. Frontiers in Public Health, 12.
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・Camara, M., Bacigalupe, G., & Padilla, P. (2014). The role of social support in adolescents: are you helping me or stressing me out? International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 22(2), 123–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2013.875480
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