What potential source of stress is common for a 12-year-old client?

In the context of adolescence, the period around 12 years old often marks a significant transition where individuals become more aware of social influences and peer relationships. One potential source of stress for a 12-year-old is the pressure to conform to peer behaviors, including experimenting with substances like alcohol. This age group is typically at the crossroads of wanting to fit in and assert their independence, which can lead to experimentation with alcohol as a way to gain acceptance or cope with the stresses of early teenage life.

As adolescents navigate friendships and various social situations, they can face strong temptations to engage in behaviors that are prevalent among their peers. The desire to be accepted might lead them to consider drinking alcohol, especially when they may perceive it as a rite of passage or a way to elevate their status among friends. The combination of biological, emotional, and social changes during this stage can heighten these feelings, making external influences a significant source of stress.

In contrast, fears like getting lost, while they could be present, are typically more related to younger children. Resenting parental authority is more common during later adolescence as children seek independence, and selecting friends of the same sex is generally part of normal development without the same level of stress associated with peer pressure and substance use.