Comparison of Stress Rates Among Children and Adults

Introduction

The article that is going to be analyzed is from the KidsHealth organization. This organization is a regionally known entity that focuses on various health-related issues concerning developing kids. The article discusses childhood stress and the various sources and signs it might exhibit. The main idea that is going to be analyzed in this paper is whether children experience as much stress as adults in terms of stress levels.

Comparison of Stress Rates Among Children and Adults

In most situations, adults are able to acknowledge when they’re feeling stressed or under pressure by recognizing the anxiety they experience. Children, on the other hand, often lack the vocabulary to articulate their feelings. Steven Dowshen, MD, the author of this article, discusses how stress is expressed in all stages of human development. Dowshen explains that children's stress can be intensified by factors ranging from simple issues to major ones, such as divorce (Dowshen, 2015). This signifies that human behavior related to stress is persistent from birth but evolves into more complex feelings as the child matures.

Children tend to pursue activities they enjoy, but are these activities pursued as a method of stress relief? In this article, Dowshen MD talks about the symptoms and signs a child might exhibit due to stress, such as “mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns, or bedwetting” (Dowshen, 2015). In a psychological context, this statement aligns with basic human behavior under stress. Given children's limited ability to express themselves, it is expected that they might display such behaviors when exposed to stress.

Methods of Stress Relief

While adults often reduce stress by taking a bath, resting, or watching television, stress relief for children is more complex. Developing children require adult assistance to reduce and release stress. Dowshen MD elaborates on how to help children calm their stress levels by communicating with them in a manner that allows them to express what’s stressing them, thereby making them feel more secure and calm (Dowshen, 2015). This method mirrors how adults might talk to friends to alleviate stress, highlighting the universal importance of communication as a stress reliever.

Coping with Stubbornness and Vulnerability

Adults often struggle to admit their feelings, tending to be stubborn and avoid confrontation. Children are no different, but they may be more vulnerable as they are still adapting to the world. Steven Dowshen MD discusses how to cope with the stubbornness a child might exhibit. He emphasizes the importance of communication, using relatability to make the child feel understood and able to express their stressors. In some cases, consulting a child therapist might be advisable (Dowshen, 2015).

Conclusion

Adults and children are not so different in terms of stress. The primary difference, according to Steven Dowshen MD, is that adults have more experience and capability in expressing emotions than children. Although Dowshen’s article lacks extensive support and statistics to enhance its reliability, its publication by the KidsHealth organization lends it credibility and makes it a useful guideline for good parenthood.

References

Dowshen, S. (2015). Helping Kids Cope with Stress. KidsHealth. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stress.html