Storm And Stress: The Turbulence Of Adolescence

The storm and stress theory was first developed by psychologist G. Stanley Hall at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Hall's storm and stress theory had a significant influence on both psychological practice and popular culture which can still be felt today. In recent years, some psychologists have argued that the storm and stress theory is only partially correct and that many adolescents have a relatively stable, conflict-free experience of young adult life. Nevertheless, this theory is still influential today and has had a lasting impact in a variety of fields. There are many reasons that adolescent stress can pile up and create a turbulent time, leading to a cascade of emotions and behaviors. Read on to discover why. 

Reasons for storm and stress in adolescence

Many people still consider the teenage years to be a time of turmoil and often dismiss the concerns of adolescents and young people as simply a phase. Parents can even project expectations of bad behavior onto their teenage children, making for a stormy time regardless of their children's disposition.

Storm and stress can occur in teenagers for a variety of reasons. Teenagers are often dealing with elevated hormones, changes at school and in their personal lives, a developing adolescent brain, an increased sense of independence, and additional stressors about the future. While everyone is different, there are a few common causes of adolescent turbulence.

Physical changes

During the transition from childhood to adulthood, adolescents experience a wide variety of physical changes within their developing bodies. These can involve forming new connections in the brain which includes important changes in the prefrontal cortex, and elevated levels of hormones as teenagers mature both mentally and physically. These changes can be confusing or unexpected and may cause more sensitive emotional reactions, anger, and frustration.

From a neurological perspective, there are also a lot of changes happening in the brain of developing adolescents. Synaptic pruning is a natural process of the brain in which weak or unused connections between neurons are eliminated, while stronger connections that are used more often become strengthened and reinforced. This process helps to improve the efficiency of neural pathways and keeps the brain functioning optimally. Synaptic pruning is especially important during childhood development as it allows for new skills and abilities to be learned through experience.

Environmental changes

While young people are growing and changing physically through the adolescent years, they are also experiencing many things for the first time, including challenging classes, new social bonds, greater responsibility, and more hectic schedules. They may be in the process of forming close friend groups or experiencing romantic relationships for the first time. They may also be under intense pressure to perform in school, sports, or other areas of life. During adolescence, young people are often also forced to shoulder new responsibilities, whether that means working after school, taking care of families, or helping to support themselves or their families. Adolescence can also exacerbate already stressful situations, like financial uncertainty, social anxiety, or unhealthy relationships. Often, these situations can place a lot of pressure before these teens are fully mature.

Increased independence

As they leave childhood and enter adulthood, many young people form new opinions and ideas about the world while engaging in more risk-taking behavior. They also develop their own preferences, wants, and desires that are separate from the wants and needs of family or friends. This newfound independence can often result in conflict, particularly when the teenagers' wants and needs are suddenly at odds with the wants and needs of those around them. Teenagers may also become aware for the first time of injustice, hypocrisy, and oppression in the world at large.

Gender identity

A growing number of adolescents are reporting that they have gender identities or expressions that are different from their gender assigned at birth or from the norms ascribed by society or culture. If an adolescent is growing into a gender identity that is unique from those around them, they can experience confusion, isolation, and bullying. Each of these can add to the already turbulent experience they are having at home, work, or school. 

Symptoms of storm and stress and adolescence

Although everyone experiences adolescence differently, there are a few common symptoms that many teenagers go through as they grow and mature. Conflict and turbulence during adolescent development are healthy, and usually not a sign of anything more serious. If you or a loved one is struggling with their mental health during adolescence, seek the advice of a medical professional to determine if anything else is wrong.

Conflict with caregivers

Conflict with parents at an earlier age is one of the most common occurrences during adolescence. Young people are often more emotionally sensitive and are under more stress than they were as children, resulting in conflict with families, including parents, guardians, and caregivers. Adolescents may also develop their own independent views of what they want for themselves and their future. These views can often be a source of conflict when caregivers have different hopes or expectations for their children.

Teenagers are subject to many of the same rules and restrictions that they had as children, despite their newfound independence and ideas about the world. Ultimately, conflicts with parents usually lessen over time as teenagers gain increased levels of independence and move out on their own into the world.

Mood disruptions

During adolescence, young people often experience a rush of different hormones as they mature both physically and intellectually. These hormones can cause emotional sensitivity, outward expressiveness, and negative moods. Young people may experience feelings of anger, embarrassment, or sadness more often than usual. They may also struggle to deal with insensitive peers, families, or friends during a time in which they are particularly sensitive.

While there might be a caricature of teenagers turning into angry, irrational people, the reality is more nuanced. Teenagers experience mood disruptions and may be especially sensitive or moody at times, and this does not necessarily point to them. and this does not necessarily point to them having a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, cognitive neuroscience tells us that they are often expressing a normal reaction to new experiences, responsibilities, and realizations about life itself. Remember young people are still capable of making rational decisions about themselves and the world.

Risk-taking behaviors

Another common symptom of storm and stress is risk-taking behaviors. Teenagers may be exposed for the first time to risky temptations like alcohol and drugs and may experiment unwisely with substances without knowing how they will affect them. In addition, many teenagers become sexually active for the first time and run the risk of having unprotected sex. These habits can be risky in adolescence and can potentially increase the risk of substance abuse in some teens.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Risky behaviors outside of sex, drugs, and alcohol may include unsafe driving, acts of physical daring, and other risky behavior instigated by peers. They can also include poor performance in school, risky social interactions, or other unusual or unexpected behaviors.

Criticism of the storm and stress theory

While the storm and stress theory remains influential, some psychologists argue that not every adolescent goes through such a disruptive phase. Many people have peaceable teenage years free of disruption.

Contemporary psychologists often call for a modified approach* to the storm and stress theory. These professionals emphasize that although many young people experience a turbulent adolescence, many others have the opposite experience. It ultimately depends on individual differences, external circumstances, and experiences throughout adolescence and young adulthood.

*Mental health research is constantly evolving, so older sources may contain information or theories that have been reevaluated since their original publication date.

The stereotype of a moody, conflict-prone teenager does have some truth to it, but the teenage years are not an unavoidable sentence of irrational, unpredictable behavior. Young people may experience slightly disrupted moods, new conflicts, and new potentially risky experiences, but they usually emerge into adulthood relatively unscathed.

Ways to support adolescents

If your child or someone you know is entering their teenage years, you may be wondering how to support them through what can be a difficult time because of adolescent brain development. Teenagers can be subject to all kinds of new personal and school-related stressors, all while trying to navigate the new and challenging world of young adult life.

To support young adults in your life, try to suggest that they join you in a supportive, conflict-free environment in which they are free to express themselves and their concerns about the world. While you might not always agree with them or their behaviors, it is important to be able to empathize with them at any age,  engage with their concerns and criticisms, and set an example.

These support figures can provide a helpful perspective on any conflicts that may arise during adolescence and may play an important role for young people outside of the typical parent-child relationship. When adolescents feel encouraged to work through these difficulties, it can potentially make for a much smoother transition.

Ways to cope with adolescence

If you are struggling during your teenage years, you are not alone. Many people experience times of turbulence, conflict, stress, and doubt during adolescence. Remember you are experiencing many things for the first time. This can be disorienting and overwhelming, especially when you feel constrained and hemmed in by the authority figures in your life.

Online therapy with BetterHelp

If you are looking for advice to help you navigate young adulthood, or simply need someone to talk to, BetterHelp has a wide array of online therapy services to help you overcome challenges, control your emotions, and manage your mental health. You can choose how you get connected — whether through phone calls, video chats, or in-app messaging. This allows you to have more control over your experience with online therapy.

The effectiveness of online therapy

Online therapy has been shown in research studies to be as effective as in-person therapy, especially for teens who lack the resources to meet with a licensed therapist in person. This study in particular suggests that adolescent psychology through online therapy successfully reduced the prevalence of symptoms* in children and adolescents experiencing anxiety disorders.  If you are considering seeking professional support for anxiety or related conditions such as depression, internet-based interventions could be a viable alternative option to consider.  

*Mental health research is constantly evolving, so older sources may contain information or theories that have been reevaluated since their original publication date.