Therapeutic Coping for Teens
Authors: Ryan Burton, Quantetra Wilson, Eva Yarbrough, Susan Hand, Helene Denker, Natasha Baker, & Amanda Lashley
Faculty Supervisor: Dawanna Gibbs, MSN, RN, CNE
Abstract: The group of nursing students with the assistance of their instructor D. Gibbs and community coordinator R. Rhodes have made preparations to present affective coping mechanisms to deal with everyday stressors like test anxiety, peer pressure, parents, and relationship breakups. The presentation will be given to a group of adolescent high school students ranging in age from 14 to 18 both male and female make up the group. E. Yarbrough is teaching Stress relief by using picture art therapy. The idea is to use creativity to express one's emotions by painting a picture and allowing the individual to confront their feelings. This is extremely useful for individuals who cannot express feelings verbally. A. Lashley and N. Baker are teaching yoga to help alleviate stress. Yoga help with stress by using body poses, controlled breathing, and relaxation to align the mind and body. R. Burton and Q. Wilson are teaching stress relief with the use of breathing exercises. Deep breathing and meditation breathing work by relaxing the body and focusing the mind. Through breathing exercises an individual can focus on a particular stressor while maintaining a calm and relaxed demeanor. H. Denker and S. Hand are teaching ineffective coping. By using ineffective coping mechanisms, a stressor that could normally be confronted and dealt with easily can become overwhelming and chronic. Types of ineffective coping are bottling up the stressor, blaming others for the stressor, and denying the stressor exist. By learning how to use effective coping at an early age will allow the individuals to be more productive and live a happier life if the teachings are used effectively.
