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Negative Teen Behaviors in Arizona

Image of a family conflict with a frustrated parent sitting on the couch and teenagers arguing. Text overlay: 'Negative Teen Behaviors in Arizona.

Adolescence can be challenging for parents and guardians. As teens age, they crave more independence and often don’t understand that they still need your guidance and protection. At Nexus Teen Academy, we define negative teen behavior as problematic tendencies that go beyond age-appropriate norms and can have long-term negative consequences.

At this age, your teen wants to build an identity separate from yours. They develop their value systems while considering who they want to be. As they do this, you are bound to disagree with them on certain issues. All this is part of growing up, and as a parent or guardian, you need to take appropriate steps to respond to this change in attitude that supports their exploration but still keeps them safe. This article aims to assist parents in understanding negative behavior in teens, some common negative behaviors in teens, and their causes, and to provide parents and guardians with resources on handling such behavior. 

If you are looking for immediate professional assistance, reach out to our team today. Our teen residential facility in Arizona can provide your son or daughter with the help they need.

Common Negative Behaviors in Teenagers

A teenager sits alone on stairs looking upset while peers laugh and socialize in the background, illustrating 'Common Negative Behaviors in Teenagers' and social challenges in Arizona.

Adolescence is a time of intense psychological, physical, and emotional changes. Teenagers take on more responsibility and find themselves in a limbo between childhood and adulthood. You should remember that even though this behavior is common in teens, it is not always helpful. As a parent or guardian, you should look out for normal or problematic teenage behavior and differentiate it from negative behaviors that cause harm. 

To ascertain what to encourage or discourage, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is your teen’s behavior causing emotional or physical harm to themselves or others?
  • Are there severe consequences for your teen’s actions?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then discouraging the behavior is in your teen’s best interest. 

Exploring some of the negative teen behaviors can help you begin to create a picture of the damaging outcomes these behaviors could have and help you differentiate them from a healthier form of self-discovery. Some common negative behaviors in teens include the following: 

  • Aggression and violence
  • Substance abuse
  • Academic underperformance
  • Social withdrawal
  • Defiance and rebellion
  • Risky sexual behavior
  • Negative self-talk and self-harm

Aggression and Violence

It is not unusual for teenagers to get angry when disagreeing with their parents. They often feel misunderstood and do not know how to communicate their viewpoints effectively. Sometimes, this anger can escalate to aggressive behavior and even violence. Aggressive and violent behavior can manifest as shouting, cussing, physical violence, and property damage. Aggression can also be impulsive or instrumental. Impulsive aggression is spontaneous and usually happens during an argument. Instrumental aggression, on the other hand, is intentional aggressive behavior whose goal is to harm. Some good examples of instrumental aggression are bullying, spreading damaging rumors, and the use of physical violence.

We know that it can be scary to see your teen be aggressive or violent towards others, so it is important that you take control and de-escalate the situation. You can do this by remaining calm and using a neutral or calm tone of voice. This will communicate that there is no need to get into a shouting match with your teen. Once they are relaxed, tell them you do not like the behavior, and they should appropriately communicate their feelings. Allow them to share their views with you while you use active listening skills to make them feel heard and understood.

If your teen’s aggressive behavior persists, you should seek anger management and mental health support for your teen. Professionals can treat the root cause of your teen’s violence and equip them with appropriate skills to manage their anger. If left untreated, aggression can lead to severe consequences such as problems with the law, domestic violence, and sexual violence. 

Substance Abuse

As your teen’s brain matures, they may engage in risk-taking behavior. Taking risks is rewarding to the brain as it provides instant gratification. Drugs and substances act on the brain’s reward circuitry, prompting the brain to release reward hormones. A teen’s brain is vulnerable to being rewired by drugs that act on the reward circuitry. 

Your teen may be using drugs due to various factors. These factors include:

  • Mental health issues such as depression 
  • Risk-taking behavior
  • Experiencing trauma
  • Peer pressure
  • Social rejection and low self-esteem
  • Genetic predisposition to drug addiction

As a parent or guardian, you should talk to your teen about the negative consequences of drug use. Discuss the reasons why they should not use drugs while avoiding fear-mongering tactics. You should also provide your teen with appropriate coping mechanisms and ways to resist peer pressure. Peer pressure is one of the leading causes of teen substance abuse in the United States. If your teen can resist peer pressure, they are unlikely to abuse drugs at any point during adolescence.

If your teen is already using drugs, it is important that you seek a teen substance abuse treatment center for them. If left untreated, drug and substance abuse can have adverse effects on your teen’s physical and mental health. 

Academic Underperformance

Another common negative behavior in teens is academic underperformance. Due to brain development, teens often become disinterested in school. Their attitude towards certain school subjects or teachers changes, and they become disinterested in that subject. You might notice your teen not handing in their assignments, not doing their homework, or increasing delinquency. All these signs are negative teen behaviors. 

What factors cause your teen’s academic performance to suffer? There are several reasons why your teen is performing poorly in school. These factors include the following:

  • Learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and dyspraxia
  • Family challenges like divorce or poverty
  • Mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder
  • Negative peer pressure and other social exclusions
  • Social media pressure and influence
  • Drug and substance abuse

If your teen suddenly performs poorly in school, it is important that you address the issue as soon as possible. Ask your teen what is causing them to struggle. If they open up about their problems, use active listening skills to understand their situation better. Guide them on how to navigate their challenges while providing effective emotional support. 

If your teen requires additional support through tutoring, you should prioritize exploring academic support programs. This will make your teen feel valued.

Social Withdrawal

Another common problematic behavior in teens is social withdrawal. Your teen may begin distancing themselves from their friends, family, and community. Like every human being, teens are afraid of rejection. This fear is so big that it can lead your teen to develop self-isolating tendencies such as staying in their rooms all day or not participating in activities they once enjoyed. 

Social withdrawal may be a sign of many other mental health conditions. Teens with depression, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, social media addiction, and teen self-harm tend to isolate themselves. As a parent or guardian, you should be concerned if your teen suddenly starts self-isolating. 

Meaningful connections among teens have many positive benefits. These benefits include the following:

  • Better self-esteem
  • Positivity and an optimistic attitude
  • Better interpersonal relationships
  • Lower levels of depression and anxiety
  • Acquisition of emotional regulation skills

If your teen is self-isolating, there are several things you can do to help them build meaningful connections. First, you need to address the root cause of their behavior. Talk to your teen empathetically to help them open up about their struggles.

Activities you can encourage include volunteering, exercise, unplugging from social media, and participating in hobbies. These activities will help your teen build meaningful connections and reduce social isolation.

Defiance and Rebellion

It is common for teens to be defiant, unruly, and rebellious toward their parents and guardians. It is part of natural development for teens to test boundaries as they seek freedom and independence. As a parent or guardian, it is important that you understand your teen does not want to frustrate you when they are defiant. They are questioning why you tell them to do certain things. However, when this behavior becomes persistent, it may be considered problematic. 

Some signs of defiance and rebellion include:

  • Constant irritability
  • Sarcastic or snide comments 
  • Testing boundaries
  • Breaking the rules
  • Staying out late without permission
  • Becoming mean to younger siblings

Defiance in your teen may stem from feeling controlled. As teens grow, they crave independence but are not always conscious that they still need your guidance. Due to this, they can often become defiant to the rules you have set. 

Your teen may also become rebellious due to underlying issues such as bullying and mental health challenges. Teens who get bullied may pick up on the behavior and bully their younger siblings. As a parent or caregiver, you need to pay close attention to your teen’s mannerisms to ensure their rebellion is not tied to underlying issues.

Risky Sexual Behavior

It is common for teens to engage in sexual experimentation as they age. However, some teens may begin engaging in risky sexual behavior, such as having multiple partners, having sex at a very young age, not using protection, and using drugs and substances during sex. This behavior can have devastating effects on your teen’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. 

To address this behavior, it is important that you provide your teen with age-appropriate sex education. Having “the talk” with your teen can be hard, but it is necessary. If you give your teen appropriate sex advice, they are more likely to practice safe sex if and when they do have sex. Comprehensive sex education helps teens learn a lot more about their bodies, self-image, gender identity, safety, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV, and teen pregnancy. Leaving sex education to teachers is like abdicating your responsibility as a parent.

Negative Self-Talk and Self-Harm

It can be difficult to find out that your teen has low self-esteem or is engaging in self-harm. Negative self-talk leads to low self-esteem and body image issues and may result in Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI). Teens who engage in self-harm find it difficult to regulate their emotions. They also self-harm as a way to release the pain they feel when bullied or made fun of in school. 

If your teen is engaging in self-harm, you should seek help immediately. Talk to your teen about self-harm and seek professional help to prevent a worse outcome. It is crucial that you show your teen affection and empathy to improve their attitude.

Underlying Causes of Negative Behaviors in Teens

A teen girl looks distressed while two peers in the background appear to be mocking or excluding her, symbolizing 'Underlying Causes of Negative Behaviors in Teens' such as bullying and isolation.

You might wonder why your teen is exhibiting negative behavior. Several factors may contribute to this behavior. These factors include the following:

  • Mental health difficulties
  • Family dynamics
  • Peer pressure and social influences
  • Academic and social stress

Teen Mental Health Difficulties

Negative behaviors may stem from mental health challenges. Suppose your teen is suffering from mental health difficulties like bipolar disorder, NSSI, social anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and substance abuse disorder. In that case, they may exhibit signs of negative teen behavior. Teens with bipolar disorder may experience mania or depression for extended periods, which may lead to signs of negative behavior. If your teen is depressed, they can have a hard time paying attention in school. This will eventually lead to lower grades or social withdrawal. 

Another example of negative behavior due to mental health challenges is self-harm. Teens with depression or teen bipolar disorder tend to engage in NSSI, which is considered problematic. If your teen exhibits any mental health-related symptoms, it is critical that you seek help immediately.

Family Dynamics

Another key cause of negative behavior is family dynamics. As a parent or guardian, you should ask yourself how the dynamics at home will affect your teen’s life. If they are constantly exposed to situations such as domestic violence, they may develop violent tendencies. Teens who grow up in troubled homes may become violent as they begin to think that violence is the only way to get what they want. 

Some situations, such as divorce, may also affect your teen’s life. Teens who witness divorce tend to become more socially withdrawn since they may blame themselves for the situation. As parents who are separating, it is important that you help your teen understand that they are not the cause of the divorce. Show them that despite the separation, they still have someone they can count on who loves them.

Peer Pressure and Social Influences

Social influence may also cause your teen to start exhibiting negative behavior. If your teen is hanging out with troubled teens, they may be influenced to become violent, defiant, or start using substances. Do not underestimate the amount of sway your teen’s peers have on them. They can impact your teen both positively and negatively. 

As a parent, it is your duty to teach your teen how to be assertive when pressured. Being assertive will help your teen avoid negative situations such as drug and substance abuse. You should also teach your teen how to choose their friends to ensure they do not hang with a bad crowd.

What Parents Can Do to Help Their Teenagers

It can be difficult to deal with constant mood swings, anger, defiance, and rebellion. However, the most important thing is to address them in a calm and collected way. Dealing with negative behavior appropriately ensures your teen’s safety and happiness. Here are some tips for what you can do to deal with teen negative behavior:

  • Open communication 
  • Positive reinforcement 
  • Setting boundaries and consistent discipline 
  • Monitoring social media and online activity 
  • Encouraging healthy relationships 
  • Building resilience and coping skills

Open Communication

Most parents underestimate the power of open communication. As a parent or guardian, express your willingness and interest in participating in your teen’s life. Teens fear being rejected or unwelcome in a social setting. Talk to them about challenging topics and encourage them to share details about their personal lives.

Once your teen feels they can trust you, they will likely open up about the underlying causes of their negative behavior and take your advice on navigating challenging situations. Trust is the bedrock of any healthy relationship, and reinforcing it will help your teen have a more positive attitude toward life. 

Positive Reinforcement

All humans enjoy feeling valued and respected. As a parent or guardian of a troubled teen, it is important that you reinforce positive behavior. If your teen does well in school, ensure they receive a reward. Show them affection and strengthen the idea that they are valued regardless of what they can provide. Randomly treat them with their favorite activity or snack to reinforce positive behavior. Doing this will improve your teen’s self-esteem and reduce the likelihood of developing negative behavior. 

Setting Boundaries and Consistent Discipline

How you raise your teen determines their future. If your teen misbehaves, follow it up with appropriate consequences. Be consistent in applying the rules so your teen does not become disgruntled. As a parent or guardian, you need to find the delicate balance between being lenient and strict. 

Setting clear boundaries also enables your teen to pick up on positive behavior they can apply daily. They will see that if they do not want something done to them, they can set clear boundaries that should not be crossed. Boundaries reinforce positive behavior and assertiveness in teens.

Monitoring Social Media and Online Activity

As a parent or guardian, check in regularly on your teen’s online activity. Ask them who they are talking to and enforce ‘no tech time.’ During ‘no tech time,’ your teen is not allowed to be on their devices. A good example of this is setting a rule that there should be no phones at the dinner table. Such a rule encourages bonding with family members and friends. Sure, most teens will hate it, but it is a necessary tool in a world with online addiction. 

Communicating the importance of family bonding can reduce the amount of pushback on such a rule. 

Encouraging Healthy Relationships

Teenagers can often find themselves in unhealthy friendships or community dynamics. They can also find themselves in the wrong crowd as they grow up and explore. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to ensure your teen is in healthy relationships. Be a role model by teaching your teen the importance of keeping good friends and avoiding bad influences. 

Life skills such as assertiveness and boundary setting should be reinforced in your teen. These skills will enable your teen to build meaningful and lasting relationships with friends and family. 

Building Resilience and Coping Skills

Your teen may engage in negative behavior because they lack resilience and appropriate coping skills. Resilience can help your teen learn from their mistakes and bounce back during challenging times. You can help your teen build resilience by changing their attitudes towards problems and challenges. Teach them about self-respect, compassion, and empathy. Positivity and healthy thinking patterns are the cornerstone of building resilience. 

Seeking Professional Help at Nexus Teen Academy

If you are having trouble managing your teen’s negative behavior, it may be time to seek professional help. Understanding the root cause of negative behavior may also inform your decision to seek professional help. Causes like substance abuse, mental health conditions, and bullying require specialized treatment. 

At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer various treatment options for teens with negative behavior. Our family-friendly teen mental health treatment center in Arizona provides high-quality treatment for teens with negative behavior. Our qualified staff offers tailor-made services to ensure that each teen reaps the benefits of high-quality services. 

Our professional staff may offer several treatment options if your teen exhibits adverse negative behavior. These include the following: 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teens identify negative behaviors and reframe them into positive ones. It teaches teens to modify and change negative thought patterns with positive attitudes. Your teen will also acquire skills that will help them manage stress and regulate their emotions. CBT is a tried-and-tested, evidence-based therapy option that is the cornerstone of psychotherapy. 
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) integrates the concepts of CBT and mindfulness to help teens stop destructive behavioral patterns. Its goal is to assist teens in changing unhealthy coping mechanisms to more positive ones. DBT is beneficial because it equips teens with skills such as problem-solving, self-confidence, and mindfulness, which are valuable in daily life. 
  • Individual Therapy – This type of therapy involves one-on-one sessions between your teen and a qualified therapist. Here, your teen gets to share their problems and is guided toward reaching a solution. 
  • Group Therapy – During group therapy, teens suffering from similar issues share their problems in a group setting. Group therapy is beneficial because it encourages teens to learn from their peers’ experiences. It also reduces social anxiety and encourages building meaningful connections among peers. 

Contact Nexus Teen Academy today to get your teen the help they need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to discipline your teen varies from home to home. You must do several things if you do not want to damage your relationship. First, involve your child in creating boundaries and the consequences of crossing them. Second, take a positive approach to discipline. This means teens take responsibility for their actions and deal with the consequences. Lastly, make sure the consequences are proportional to the rule broken. As a parent, find the appropriate balance between rule and consequence. 

Some positive reinforcement strategies include the following: hugs, praise, tangible rewards, positive comments, activity rewards, more freedom, and extra privileges.

author avatar
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC and nexus_admin