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Before entering their teenage years, children had a consistent way of feeling, thinking, and acting. Yet, this stability can suddenly shift as they transition from childhood to adulthood, as teens might struggle with hormonal fluctuations, academic expectations, and neural changes.
Key traits, outlooks, and self-esteem issues often form during the teen years, which can influence a person’s mindset in later life. Here are four ways the teenage years shape your personality and outlook.
Friendship Choices
There is a social and psychological shift in the brain when a person transitions from child to teenager. For example, as young people start to crave independence away from their parents, they may become more dependent on their friends for guidance, support, and acceptance.
A healthy friendship group can provide teenagers with an outlet when experiencing upset or stress. As a result, they will understand the importance of talking through their problems calmly and healthily.
However, this dependence on friends can result in a teen making wrong choices in their life. Due to peer pressure from friends, they might feel tempted to embrace riskier behavior, such as drinking alcohol, substance abuse, or performing dangerous acts. Unfortunately, these experiences can shape their future or mindset.
Mental Health Issues
Good mental health during the teenage years can result in people enjoying greater well-being in adulthood. However, untreated mental health disorders during a person’s childhood or teenage years may lead to a diminished quality of life. For example, they are more likely to struggle with substance abuse, poor functioning, a negative outlook, and physical illnesses.
For the above reasons, a teen must seek support and treatment when struggling with a mental health disorder, such as depression. Head to igniteteentreatment.com to learn how the residential depression treatment center can help a young person overcome a mental health battle.
A Sense of Identity
According to a 2013 study, teenagers who felt in control of their own life acted authentically and knew what was expected of them developed a more positive sense of identity and greater emotional stability.
The findings prove the importance of providing teenagers with a nurturing environment to support their personality development. While encouraging young people to perform well in school is important, both parents and teachers have a responsibility to help teens develop positive traits and adopt healthy coping mechanisms.
Excessive Media Exposure
Media exposure can shape a person’s personality. As teenagers often spend much of their time scrolling through social media, surfing websites, and watching videos, they can develop an opinion on what is right or wrong.
The internet provides access to every type of content, from educational and entertaining, to violent and stereotypical. As teenagers are at an impressionable age and exposed to much content online, they could develop negative opinions that could shape their outlook on life, cultural viewpoints, and understanding of society. For this reason, parents must set strict screen time restrictions and regularly monitor their behavior online to ensure that this does not occur.
