Teenagers in South Africa are coping with stress but many are taking strain
TNS Research Surveys, South Africa's leading marketing and social insights company, has recently conducted a survey of South African teenagers. The study was conducted amongst a sample of 1 000 South African teenagers, aged 13 to 19 years of age, from the seven major metropolitan areas of South Africa, interviewing them face-to-face in their homes, and has a margin of error of under 3.5%.
Teenagers in South Africa could potentially be under a lot of stress to perform well academically as well as taking strain from family members and family situations. However, most teens are coping well and enjoy many leisure activities to counter some stresses.
Creating a balanced lifestyle
Eighty-three percent of teens mentioned that they enjoy studying and learning. The incidence for agreement on this statement was highest amongst black teens (90%) but significantly lower amongst Coloured (66%) and Indian/Asian teens (60%).
In addition, 84% of teens said that they enjoy reading, 90% said that their hobbies and interests are very important to them, 77% said they enjoy playing sport and 89% say they consider themselves physically fit. This is positive to note, as engaging in hobbies and other activities, such as sport, are good for stress relief and creating a balance in one's life. In fact, 87% said that they have enough leisure time to be happy and 72% said that they spend a lot of time going out and socialising with friends.
Teens generally also have good support systems. Seventy-four percent mentioned that they have someone they can talk to at their school or university and 93% said that they get on well with a parent of guardian.
Stressing and taking strain
Seventeen percent of teenagers reported being stressed at school, varsity or work.
The incidences per age are as follows:
Age 13: 8%
Age 14: 16%
Ages 15-16: 20%
Ages 17-18: 22%
Age 19: 12%
The incidence of reported stress increases with age, up to 18 years, and then lowers significantly at age 19. The incidence of stress reported also increases with grade, with 22% of grade 12s reporting feeling stressed from school. This makes logical sense; matric students are often under extensive pressure.
Interestingly, Indian/Asian and Coloured teens report the most stress, significantly more than other ethnic groups. The incidences per race are as follows:
Black: 14%
White: 17%
Coloured: 29%
Indian/Asian: 38%
Thirteen percent of teens reported that school, university or work does not make them happy. The incidence for Coloured and Indian/Asian teens is significantly higher at 24% and 25% respectively.
This links back to the fact that Coloured and Indian/Asian teens score significantly lower on agreement to the statement: “You enjoy studying and learning”. Coloured and Asian teens are experiencing more stress and pressure regarding academics.
The incidences per area, for teens who feel stressed at school, varsity or work, are as follows:
• Gauteng 12%
o Johannesburg and environs 11%
o Johannesburg 18%
o East Rand 8% (Lowest)
o West Rand 12%
o Soweto 9%
o Vaal Triangle and South Rand 11%
o Pretoria 15%
• Cape Town 24%
• Durban 19%
• Eastern Cape 18%
o Port Elizabeth 21%
o East London 13%
• Bloemfontein 40% (Highest)
Sixteen percent of teens reported having trouble sleeping. Thirteen percent reported that their home lives are unhappy and 13% mentioned that there is a lot of conflict in the household.
There is a difference in the profile of teens who enjoy studying and learning and those who feel stressed at school, varsity or work. Of the teens who enjoy studying and learning, only 15% feel stressed from school, varsity or work, 15% have trouble sleeping, 12% say their home lives are unhappy, 13% say there is a lot of conflict in the household, 11% say that their relations with their friends are poor and only 11% mentioned that school, university or work does not make them happy.
This can be strongly contrasted with teens who feels stressed at school, varsity or work. Of these teens who feel stressed at school, varsity or work, 29% say they have trouble sleeping, 20% say their home lives are unhappy, 24% say there is a lot of conflict in their households, 28% say that their relations with their friends are quite poor and 42% say that school, university or work does not make them happy.
In addition, significantly more teens who said they enjoy studying (91%) as opposed to those who feel stressed at school, varsity or work, consider themselves physically fit. This indicates that teens who are less stressed and enjoy their studies also know the importance of engaging in physical activities to relieve stress and maintain balance in their lives.
Teens who enjoy their studies also tend to take care of their health significantly more than teens who are stressed. In terms of the consumption of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, teens who enjoy their studies report having fewer friends who consume these substances than teens who are stressed. Of the teens who enjoy learning and studying, 26% say a lot of their friends smoke, 24% say a lot of their friends drink alcohol and only 7% say that a lot of their friends take drugs. In contrast, of the teens who feel stressed at school, varsity or work, 38% say a lot of their friends smoke, 32% say a lot of their friends drink alcohol and 15% say that a lot of their friends take drugs.
Conclusion
Overall, teenagers in South Africa enjoy learning and activities that are associated with stress-relief and manage to create a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Teens who enjoy their studies tend to engage in healthier lifestyle choices than teens who feel stressed at school, varsity or work. This is somewhat worrisome, as some teens who are stressed have lifestyles that further aggravate their stressful circumstances.
