Teens' coping mechanisms with negative emotions, according to a Gallup poll, and their desire to be heard.

Young Americans manage stress, anxiety, and other intense emotions, according to a new Gallup survey, with mostly positive outcomes.

The research was carried out in collaboration with the Walton Family Foundation and Dr. Lisa Damour, a renowned author and clinical adolescent psychologist who served as a consultant on Pixar's film "Inside Out 2."

The Gen Z experience was explored by Damour and the team, who are based in Ohio, delving into the connection between teenagers and their parents and other support systems.

A total of 1,675 children aged 10 to 18 and their parents or guardians were surveyed by the researchers.

According to a press release, young Gen Zers are employing a variety of healthy coping strategies to manage difficult emotions, as indicated by the data.

A majority of Gen Z respondents use music as a way to cope, with 45% also playing video games, 45% connecting with friends, and 39% discussing their emotions.

A quarter of teens said they use social media when feeling down.

According to the Gallup poll, the emotional lives of preteens and teens are characterized by more highs than lows.

On the prior day, 94% of teens reported feeling happiness "a lot," while 45% felt stressed, 38% felt anxious, and 23% felt sad.

Helping teens handle emotions

Teens are seeking more independence, and the survey examined ways parents and guardians can assist them in managing their emotions.

While 60% of Gen Zers desire their parents to hear them out when upset, only 28% want their parents to offer advice.

Teenagers are 20% more likely to want their parents to give them space when they are upset, while younger Gen Z respondents are more likely to search for parental reassurance and physical comfort, according to the survey.

Young people who feel the need to be perfect are 23% to 30% more likely to feel anxious, sad and stressed.

While 35% of surveyed parents reported their teens experiencing "very intense emotions," over 80% of parents expressed confidence in their ability to comfort and communicate with their children.

One-third of Gen Z kids feel pressure to be perfect, with 13- to 15-year-olds and girls experiencing this pressure at higher rates.

The research discovered that young people who strive for perfection are 23% to 30% more likely to experience anxiety, sadness, and stress.

According to Stephanie Marken, a senior partner at Gallup, new research indicates that the negative emotions experienced by many Gen Zers are closely linked to the pressure they feel to be flawless.

Marken emphasized the importance of helping Gen Z cope with negative emotions and their underlying causes, as prior Gallup research has shown that children who frequently experience negative emotions are more likely to struggle in school and negatively impact their academic and future success.

‘Surprisingly’ positive

In an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Damour was taken aback by the high number of young Gen Zers who reported positive emotions and effective coping strategies.

She stated that she believed their findings would astonish many individuals because the media's emphasis on mental health issues and negative emotions over the past few years had been significant.

"We are hearing from young people that, above all, they want to be heard and taken seriously."

A majority of children reported feeling enjoyment (91%) and happiness (94%), while 23% felt envy and sadness, 29% experienced anger, 38% reported anxiety and worry, and 45% said they were stressed.

"Teenagers experience both downs and ups, but their ups are more frequent than their downs, according to Damour."

She noted that teenagers often experience complex emotions and strong feelings, but these are not always negative.

The expert also offered guidance for parents whose teens may have perfectionist tendencies.

"Our objective is to emphasize to young people that everyone has flaws, and as adults, we should strive to improve ourselves while still maintaining a positive self-image."

‘Listening goes a long way’

At the start of the new school year, Damour advised parents to prioritize listening over offering solutions.

Teenagers want to be heard and taken seriously when adults offer suggestions or guidance about their painful emotions, even if it comes from a loving place, she said.

Taking teenagers' feelings seriously and listening to them can greatly improve their well-being, as Damour stated.

Teenagers can manage their own upset feelings if adults step back instead of rushing in to help, she said.

The psychologist observed that parents are extremely anxious about their teenagers and their children growing up into teenagers.

"Teenagers are thoughtful about their emotions and want to be heard and taken seriously by adults."