Encouraging Healthy Behaviors in Adolescent Girls
Beginning in puberty and continuing through adulthood, females have a higher risk for and incidence of depression. In addition, girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression than their peers without ADHD.
Adolescent girls need strong connections with their families, peers and community, along with positive role models for eating well, exercising and dealing with stress in healthy ways. Involvement in activities, like sports, school clubs, the arts and community service, all provide a sense of belonging. These relationships also reduce risky behaviors.
When parents set and enforce fair, consistent rules, they protect their daughters from negative peer pressure in social situations. Creating opportunities for girls to use their voices, encouraging them to stand up for what they want and need, and honoring their choices further encourage healthy choices.
Praising adolescent females for their effort rather than their performance or the outcome allows the development of new skills, builds confidence and fosters resilience in the face of failure. It is important to provide girls with the opportunity and tools to do things such as changing their own tires.
Balance compliments about a girl’s appearance with those about her accomplishments. Sports, art, music, theater and any other activity that helps adolescent females express themselves through their actions and words also are beneficial. Because mothers have a significant impact on their daughters’ body image, modeling body acceptance is vital.
Make girls media literate. Parents or guardians should help them decode and filter the messages they receive instead of simply banning social media, which may cause their online activities to become secretive or hidden. Adolescent females should understand that the images they see generally do not reflect the average person and that there is great diversity in physical appearance and rates of development. Teenagers’ brains need a break from technology, including cell phones, and time in which to rest. Mindfulness training can help teach the value of solitude and stop the urge to constantly check social media.
Perhaps most significantly, let the adolescent girls in your life know that you love them no matter what. Pay attention, listen, offer help, trust your instincts and seek professional assistance if necessary.