Pastorale begeleiding aan adolessente wat ly onder prestasiedruk

Abstract

The primary goal of this study is to research the pressure imposed upon adolescents to perform as well as to suggest practical guidelines to counsel them. It is found that adolescents experience both external (parents, teachers, coaches and friends) and internal (perfectionism and the fear of failure) factors. Stress, anxiousness, depression, eating disorders, substance and alcohol abuse and even suicide have been found in terms of the effects of performance pressure as found with adolescents. The Bible enlightens us to the possible external factors of performance pressure found with adolescents. According to the Bible, parents have certain responsibilities in terms of raising their children, and discretion should be applied when selecting friends. The internal factors related to performance pressure, such as perfectionism and the fear of failure can be addressed within the context of the Bible's message, guiding the adolescent pastorally. The Bible provides general perspectives regarding anxiousness, stress, depression, suicide, eating disorders and substance and alcohol abuse that can be applied during the pastoral counseling of adolescents. Research of the literature found within the subject areas of psychology and sport sciences, regarding performance pressure, within the context of adolescents show that the motivation for parents, friends, teachers and coaches to pressure adolescents to perform. This research (from psychology and sport sciences) regarding depression, suicide, anxiousness, eating disorders and substance and alcohol abuse display the effect of performance pressure found within adolescents. A qualitative empirical study with five adolescents, provide the reader with a good comprehension of performance pressure experienced by adolescents. The perspectives found within the Bible, literature and empirical research are placed within a hermeneutical interaction to produce a practical theorem. Finally, practical guidelines can be formulated in the pastoral counseling of adolescents experiencing performance pressure.