Adolescents (13 – 18 years)

Activities for adolescents:

• Peer groups and spending time with friends is extremely important
• Cell phones and the internet are common means of keeping in touch with friends
• Adolescents enjoy watching movies and playing videogames

Social interactions:

• Self-esteem is largely influenced by peer acceptance
• Adolescents are sometimes moody and emotional, this can often be perceived as being uncooperative and defiant
• Adolescents are experimenting with social roles and exploring different identities
• They are often hesitant to express feelings and/or fears about being in the hospital

Common stressors and fears of adolescents in the hospital:

• Separation from peer group, loss of peer acceptance and fear of rejection
• Loss of independence and control
• Invasion of privacy
• Fear of change in body image/appearance
• Fear of death or disability
• Concerns of keeping up with schoolwork or getting back to school

What you can do to help while your adolescent is in the hospital:

• Honest preparations for procedures and surgery is imperative for this age group: let them know if any procedures or medicines will change the way their bodies look or work
• Involve adolescents in medical decision-making and choices about their care
• Anticipate any questions that your teen may have because these will not always be expressed
• Advocate for privacy whenever possible (pulling curtain, wearing own pajamas instead of hospital gown)
• If it's okay with the patient, encourage friends to visit as often as possible
• Bring favorite activities or watch a movie together in the hospital