Stress and anxiety start at the early development stage of adolescence. They increase the vulnerability of teenagers and the susceptibility to minor and sometimes severe illness. It is evident that teenagers, nowadays, go through stress at different levels. Indeed, teens have similarities with their experiences of stress across ethnicity, race, and economic background. With the increasing pressures of competition, particularly in a community with higher parental expectations and other factors, exploring coping mechanisms through the eyes of teenagers are needed to understand their experiences, identify the causes and explore supports that will help them cope, and initiate additional resources to support their health journey through teenage years and beyond. This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and anxiety and coping mechanisms among teenagers. This case study, which employed the Colaizzi method, was conducted among 15 teenagers of Leyte Normal University. Teenagers ranging from the age of 16-19 were engaged in conducting this study. Moreover, the overarching themes related to stress and anxiety identified by the participants included time, social relationships, and pressure in school. The themes related to coping identified by teenagers are a reflection of self and situations, positive relationships, finding an escape or distraction, making choices, and moving on. Furthermore, the participants drew two recommendations: establishing relationships, peer connections, time management, and coping skills.

Case Study

Colaizzi Method

qualitative research

stress and anxiety