In the ever-evolving landscape of adolescent development, one factor stands out as a cornerstone for health and wellbeing: connectedness. According to the research article "Adolescent connectedness: cornerstone for health and wellbeing," authored by Robert Blum and colleagues, fostering connections with family, peers, and communities is crucial for adolescent development. This blog post explores how practitioners can implement these findings to improve their skills and enhance the lives of young people.
Understanding Connectedness
Connectedness refers to a sense of being cared for, supported, belonging, and closeness with others. It emerges from protective and sustained relationships within families, schools, and communities. Research has shown that adolescents who feel connected to their homes or schools are significantly less likely to engage in risky behaviors related to sexual health, substance use, and violence. They also tend to have better mental health in adulthood.
Family Connectedness
Despite the increasing influence of peers and technology, family remains a central influence in adolescents' lives. Adolescents connected to at least one parent experience fewer emotional problems, better school performance, higher self-esteem, and less involvement in violence and substance use. Practitioners can encourage parents to stay engaged with their children's lives by knowing their friends, monitoring academic performance, and maintaining open communication.
Peer Connectedness
As adolescents mature, peers become an increasingly important part of their social fabric. Positive peer relationships are associated with better social and emotional functioning. Practitioners can support adolescents in developing skills such as initiating relationships, sharing emotions, asserting displeasure appropriately, providing emotional support, and managing conflicts. These skills foster positive peer connections that contribute to overall wellbeing.
Community Connectedness
The community where an adolescent lives significantly impacts their wellbeing. Social cohesion within a community reduces high-risk behaviors and emotional distress while promoting positive health behaviors. Practitioners can encourage community engagement by creating opportunities for meaningful youth-adult interactions and volunteering. Building social capital through community involvement enriches adolescents' lives.
The Role of Online Connectedness
In today's digital age, online connections play a significant role in adolescents' lives. While digital interactions can offer continuous connectivity with family and peers, they do not fully replace in-person relationships. Practitioners should guide adolescents in balancing online interactions with face-to-face connections to prevent loneliness and ensure healthy development.
Implementing Connectedness Strategies
Practitioners can implement strategies that focus on strengthening young people's relationships with family, peers, schools, and communities. Programs that view young people as resources rather than problems have shown success. Encouraging positive youth development approaches that enhance connectedness can lead to healthier outcomes for adolescents.
To read the original research paper titled "Adolescent connectedness: cornerstone for health and wellbeing," please follow this link: Adolescent connectedness: cornerstone for health and wellbeing.
