As the adolescence period is characterized by changes in physical, emotional, and social areas, the health teaching plan’s elements should address these changes with a focus on growth and development. In addition, as adolescents have significantly more independence than children, they should be informed and educated about their health and medical recommendations. According to Aeschbach et al. (2019), teaching adolescents how to manage their own health care can also help them learn to advocate for themselves and have open and honest conversations with healthcare providers. Therefore, besides the medical recommendations, a health teaching plan for adolescents should include information about the physical changes in their body, why they occur, and their impact on their emotional state and social environment. Next, to develop awareness and responsibility for adolescents’ health, it is necessary to provide sufficient information about nutrition and potential harm from bad habits and behaviors. Lastly, it is vital to maintain a proper approach to the health teaching process and carefully assess adolescents’ relationships with parents to ensure the patients’ comfort.
Adolescents, as an age group, adolescents are subjected to several different stress factors that can potentially contribute to risk-taking behaviors, such as peer pressure, insecurities, and rebellious attitudes. According to American Psychological Association Report (2020), Gen Z experiences higher stress levels due to growing up in uncertain and confusing periods of disorder. With the introduction of computer technologies, mobile devices, and social media, many experts suggest that the mental health of the new generations is affected by technological interference that manifests in such negative phenomena as cyberbullying. There is a connection between risk-taking behavior and stress as the peer pressure culture becomes more apparent in the social media environment, and negativity and anonymity in the online space can result in risk-taking situations.
References
Aeschbach, C. J., Burrough, W. B., Olejniczak, A. B., & Koepsel, E. R. (2019). Teaching adolescents to manage their own health care.The Journal of School Nursing, 37(5), 1-8. Web.
American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America 2020: A national mental health crisis. Web.