Emotional well being

Adolescence is a peak time for emotional difficulties to emerge. Emotional reactivity is increased with intense negative emotions as well as more positive emotions. So, adolescents can be more sad, angry, anxious, and more euphoric than they have been, or will be again. It can be hard for them and their parents to know what is typical and what is not.

Good emotional health is shown in adolescents who have a secure sense of who they are, although this does develop and change over time. It is also seen in those who are happy to be themselves, accompanied by vitality and energy. A sense of self-worth and a belief in their own ability to influence things and make changes helps them through challenges, to ask for and move towards the things that they need. Alongside this, an ability to recognise, care about and take some responsibility for the impact of their behaviour on others is also important. Those with good emotional health tend to be willing and able to do things alone and with others and they have a capacity to respect the need for boundaries for themselves and others.

Social and emotional well-being gives the developing young person skills, such as emotional resilience, which allow them to recover from setbacks. Emotional resilience is the ability of an individual young person to adjust or adapt when faced with adversity.

Look at this table that compares concerns and behaviours of adolescents.