

During middle childhood(6-12 years), the achievement of a healthy self-esteem is a key
developmental challenge. This can be hampered by pre-existing neurocognitive deficits as
well poor self-regulatory control and social relatedness which may compromise a child’s
academic abilities as well as the establishment of healthy peer relationships. Vulnerable
children may be at elevated risk for affiliating with deviant peer groups and consequently at
risk for anti-socialbehavior.32Adolescence commences with the onset of puberty and can
range from as early as 10 years to as late as20 years. Key developmental challenges include
the development of psychological autonomy, establishing intimate friendships, and
developing a sense of identity.33Adolescentsare particularly vulnerable to engaging in ‘risk
behaviour’ due to heightened emotional arousal that may compromise rational decisionmaking. (Mental health promotion and prevention mental disorders in SA)
For adolescents, poverty has concerningly been linked to stress, which manifests as
symptoms (such as depression and anxiety symptoms) that ensue when adolescents view
events or circumstances in their environments as taxing, exceeding their resources to cope
and threatening their well-being (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). The challenging circumstances
or events are viewed as stressors, which may evoke stress symptoms. Poverty has been
linked to stress symptoms, including depression (Najman et al., 2010; Wadsworth &
Berger, 2006) and anxiety (De Carlo Santiago, Wadsworth, & Stump, 2011; Mostert &
Loxton, 2008; Muris et al., 2006), which may adversely impact on the mental health state of
adolescents. (Stress and coping)

- State psychosocial development
Tutorial 2


Adolescents experienced psychological well-being as characterised by purposeful living and
meaning; positive relationships; being a role-model; self-regard; constructive coping;
positive emotions and gratitude. Lower mental health was experienced as characterized by
meaninglessness, impaired relationships, identification with dysfunctional outsiders, selfincompetence, dysfunctional behaviours, negative emotions and helplessness. The youth
distinguished between experiences of well-being and the absence thereof (Psychosocial
wellbeing group SA adolescents)
Levels psychosocial health (Psychosocial wellbeing group SA adolescents)
- Psychodynamics of her personality
Tutorial 4

Textbook
- behaviour meet criteria psychological disorder
Tutorial 3


Depression is estimated to become the secondleading burden of illness globally by 2030.
(Mental health promotion and prevention mental disorders in SA)
Avoidant coping has been closely linked to anxiety and depression (Wadsworth &
Berger, 2006), which may be due to adolescents not addressing the stressor or emotions
surrounding it. While some researchers capture avoidant coping as related to reduced

anxiety (Edlynn et al., 2008), as the individual may avoid confronting the stressor or to cope
with their stress-symptoms, the long-term sustainability of this coping style has been
questioned in previous research (Somhlaba & Wait, 2009). (stress and coping)
Adolescence is a period of significant physical, social and emotional change and therefore a
vulnerable period for the development of mental illness. Many psychiatric disorders have
their onset during adolescence. Common mental disorders during this period are
mood, anxiety and substance related (update adolescent mental health)

- community and the South African context shapes the difficulties she experiences with regard to her
development, personality and behaviour.




Available evidence from literature suggests that healthy adolescent development, which
includes mental health, is affected by a myriad of biopsychosocial factors (World Health
Organization, 2018) that include poverty. (Stress and coping)
The inverse relationship between poverty and mental health is articulated in the social
causation hypothesis, which postulates that the experience of poverty and its associated
features, including stressful circumstances and events (stressors), increases the susceptibility
for individuals to experience mental health problems (Simmons, Braun, Charnigo, Havens, &
Wright, 2008). (stress and coping)
as poverty is associated with heightened vulnerability to experiencing mental illness,
including mood and anxiety disorders (Najman et al., 2010). (stress and coping)