Running head: ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE WITH COMPLEX PROBLEMS 1
Assignment 6
Peng Wang
University Of South Florida
SOW 7616
Dr. Alison Salloum, Ph.D.
Date
,ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE WITH COMPLEX PROBLEMS 2
Assignment 6: Advanced Clinical Practice with Complex Problems
Background
Mental health has been the focus of many studies, health initiatives, and programs for
decades due to the detrimental impact. However, regardless of the health concern being prevalent
across all ages, races, and genders, researchers have paid little attention to mental health in the
adolescent stage. Understandably, adolescent psychological needs have received minimal focus
due to the assumption that children in that stage have little exposure to stressful or traumatic
experiences unless they are brought up in a violent environment. Furthermore, children in the
adolescent stage undergo rapid emotional and psychological changes, and so, it is challenging to
different mental issues related to the life stage and other stressors. Nonetheless, adolescents are
prone to psychological stressors, as exemplified by the increasing suicide cases, drug and
substance abuse, violence, and sexual immorality.
China has experienced remarkable economic and social developments in the recent few
decades. Nevertheless, studies have identified a worrying trend in teenage psychological health
across the country. For example, a National Mental Health Development study sampled 15846
adolescents from grades 4 to 12 and identified that a significant number had mental health issues
and emotional difficulties (Fu et al., 2021). Other studies have determined high anxiety levels
and emotional distress among elementary, middle, and high school students. The disquieting
reality of teenage mental and emotional struggles contrasts the latest findings that indicated a
rising mental health literacy among Chinese citizens in the last decade (Chen et al., 2021).
Mental health experts suggest that the contrasting findings are due to the limited psychological
knowledge in schools and families resulting from a shortage of psychiatrists nationwide.
, ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE WITH COMPLEX PROBLEMS 3
Further studies on mental and emotional difficulties among adolescents in china have
identified stressing school environments as the primary triggers of stress and suicidal thoughts.
According to Ping (2018), about 95.5 percent of high school students in China had stress
symptoms resulting from the stressful academic environment and pressure from the high family
expectations. The high prevalence rates are alarming considering that china has approximately
230 million K12 students (宗政, n.d). Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop feasible
interventions since the country risks a series of extremist behaviors such as violence and suicide
if the issue is left unattended. Furthermore, based on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (2009) guidelines, psychological and emotional stress among students and
adolescents can be addressed by increasing psychological knowledge in families and schools.
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Risk Factors
The primary factor leading to psychological and emotional difficulties among K12
students in China is the poor teacher-student and peer relationships. According to Li et al. (2020),
poor relationships are associated with depressive tendencies, low self-esteem, and anxiety, thus
leading to mental stress. Often, poor relationships lead to segregation that develops loneliness
and depression. Li et al. (2020) affirm that positive teacher-student and peer interactions promote
students' wellbeing as they help them build resilience to counter negative life experiences.
However, the aggression and oppositional behaviors often displayed by adolescents experiencing
challenging life events deteriorate negative relationships and consequently extend the risk of
psychological and emotional difficulties. Undeniably, the mental and emotional struggle due to
poor relationships negatively impacts academic performance and social growth.
Assignment 6
Peng Wang
University Of South Florida
SOW 7616
Dr. Alison Salloum, Ph.D.
Date
,ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE WITH COMPLEX PROBLEMS 2
Assignment 6: Advanced Clinical Practice with Complex Problems
Background
Mental health has been the focus of many studies, health initiatives, and programs for
decades due to the detrimental impact. However, regardless of the health concern being prevalent
across all ages, races, and genders, researchers have paid little attention to mental health in the
adolescent stage. Understandably, adolescent psychological needs have received minimal focus
due to the assumption that children in that stage have little exposure to stressful or traumatic
experiences unless they are brought up in a violent environment. Furthermore, children in the
adolescent stage undergo rapid emotional and psychological changes, and so, it is challenging to
different mental issues related to the life stage and other stressors. Nonetheless, adolescents are
prone to psychological stressors, as exemplified by the increasing suicide cases, drug and
substance abuse, violence, and sexual immorality.
China has experienced remarkable economic and social developments in the recent few
decades. Nevertheless, studies have identified a worrying trend in teenage psychological health
across the country. For example, a National Mental Health Development study sampled 15846
adolescents from grades 4 to 12 and identified that a significant number had mental health issues
and emotional difficulties (Fu et al., 2021). Other studies have determined high anxiety levels
and emotional distress among elementary, middle, and high school students. The disquieting
reality of teenage mental and emotional struggles contrasts the latest findings that indicated a
rising mental health literacy among Chinese citizens in the last decade (Chen et al., 2021).
Mental health experts suggest that the contrasting findings are due to the limited psychological
knowledge in schools and families resulting from a shortage of psychiatrists nationwide.
, ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE WITH COMPLEX PROBLEMS 3
Further studies on mental and emotional difficulties among adolescents in china have
identified stressing school environments as the primary triggers of stress and suicidal thoughts.
According to Ping (2018), about 95.5 percent of high school students in China had stress
symptoms resulting from the stressful academic environment and pressure from the high family
expectations. The high prevalence rates are alarming considering that china has approximately
230 million K12 students (宗政, n.d). Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop feasible
interventions since the country risks a series of extremist behaviors such as violence and suicide
if the issue is left unattended. Furthermore, based on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (2009) guidelines, psychological and emotional stress among students and
adolescents can be addressed by increasing psychological knowledge in families and schools.
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Risk Factors
The primary factor leading to psychological and emotional difficulties among K12
students in China is the poor teacher-student and peer relationships. According to Li et al. (2020),
poor relationships are associated with depressive tendencies, low self-esteem, and anxiety, thus
leading to mental stress. Often, poor relationships lead to segregation that develops loneliness
and depression. Li et al. (2020) affirm that positive teacher-student and peer interactions promote
students' wellbeing as they help them build resilience to counter negative life experiences.
However, the aggression and oppositional behaviors often displayed by adolescents experiencing
challenging life events deteriorate negative relationships and consequently extend the risk of
psychological and emotional difficulties. Undeniably, the mental and emotional struggle due to
poor relationships negatively impacts academic performance and social growth.
