Adolescent boys’ experiences of stress – a focus group study

Abstract

Background: The number of adolescents reporting that they are stressed has more than doubled among both boys and girls. Most focus is usually given to girls because they typically report not only higher levels of stress but also feel stressed more frequently than do boys. However, studies have confirmed that boys’ experience of stressors was the same, implying that the genders are equally prone to experiencing stress. Although male and female adolescents appear to experience stress in a similar way, how they cope with these stressors might differ. This study focuses on boys’ experiences of stress and how they cope with it. Method: Eight focus groups were conducted with 39 adolescent boys aged 12–19 years enrolled in four schools in southern Sweden. The data was analysed inductively with conventional content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in three categories: Stress perception – time as a key factor, Identifying stressors and levels of stress, and Silent struggles and distractions. The boys had experienced considerable stress in their lives, despite their limited understanding of the concept. Their coping skills were limited to engaging in sports or distracting themselves from the stressors while social support from peers, school staff, or family was generally discarded. Conclusions: Adolescent boys might need assistance in identifying stress and clearly voicing their specific concerns. They should also be provided with spaces that are free from stigmatization and judgement. Parents, teachers, and school nurses should be equipped with the appropriate tools and education on how to discuss stress and mental health in general with adolescent boys to prevent possible negative long-term consequences for both their physical and mental health.