PSYC FPX 2720 Assessment 2

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX2720 Adolescent Psychology

Prof. Name

Date

Case Studies

Conflicts among adolescents often emerge from shifting identities, social pressures, and misunderstood intentions. In these case studies, disagreements occur among three friends—Paula, Kevin, and Luis—each navigating unique developmental challenges.

The first conflict arises when Paula pressures Luis to procure alcohol. When he refuses, she insults him and labels him a “coward,” damaging his self-esteem.
The second disagreement occurs when Kevin expresses interest in trying Paula’s makeup, which leads Luis to mock his masculinity, questioning his gender expression.
The final argument develops when Luis flirts with Paula. She perceives his advances as inappropriate and responds by slapping him.

These tensions provide rich insight into how personal insecurities and cultural identities influence adolescent peer interactions.

Development

Kevin

Kevin is a second-generation Nigerian American raised in a culturally traditional household. Although proud of his family’s sacrifices, he frequently pushes back against parental expectations. Entering puberty has led him to experience discomfort with bodily changes—particularly vocal shifts—which heighten his anxiety in social situations. As a coping mechanism, Kevin invests heavily in physical fitness to appear confident and strong.

He enjoys online gaming communities but avoids in-person social engagement, possibly due to fear of judgment. Kevin is questioning his sexuality and is uncertain how to share this with others, despite believing his parents may ultimately accept him. His identity exploration reflects the typical “moratorium” phase described in adolescent identity development (Arnett & Jensen, 2023), where experimentation precedes commitment.

Table 1. Overview of Kevin’s developmental influences

Paula

Paula is a third-generation Lithuanian American with strong family heritage narratives that she does not fully embrace. She avoids bringing friends home and frequently stays out to escape family tension. Paula struggles with body image, longing to appear older and taller while maintaining a low body weight, which reflects heightened vulnerability to social beauty standards among adolescent girls (Arnett & Jensen, 2023).

She has a strong desire for fame, seeking validation through performance and attention. Her romantic relationship is a significant source of conflict with her parents, and her brother’s teasing exacerbates her emotional stress. She relies heavily on her best friend Lori for emotional stability while simultaneously surrounding herself with a larger party-focused peer group on weekends, though she remains cautious about risky behaviors like drinking and driving.

Luis

Luis, born in Cuba and raised in the United States from age two, experiences bicultural stress within a household where neither English nor Spanish is spoken fluently. Parental conflict has prompted him to move in with a friend, demonstrating early independence but also emotional displacement.

Starting college has intensified feelings of isolation, as he lacks shared experience with his family and struggles with belonging. Although praised academically, he experiences imposter-like doubts as the first college student in his family. Luis seeks meaningful relationships but his romantic connections are short-lived. His growing bond with his 17-year-old brother serves as a protective factor in his development.

Table 2. Factors influencing Luis’s emotional and social functioning

Research

Source 1 – Early Adolescents’ Social Goals in Peer Conflict Situations

Dunn et al. (2022) examined how middle-school students respond to hypothetical interpersonal conflicts. The study revealed that boys and girls share more similarities than differences in conflict-resolution goals. Girls expressed more concern with maintaining relationships and gathering information before reacting, especially in conflicts with close friends. This research supports the idea that adolescents consider relational consequences when responding to peers, aligning with the motivations seen in Paula and Kevin when navigating friendship tension.

Source 2 – Children’s Goals and Strategies in Friendship Conflicts

Rose and Asher (1999) explored differences in boys’ and girls’ friendship dynamics, noting that while boys tend to have larger peer networks, girls prioritize intimacy and emotional closeness. Both genders, however, value friendships equally. Paula’s need for close bonds with Lori and Kevin’s discomfort navigating peer acceptance directly reflect these developmental patterns.

Individual Influences

Kevin

Kevin’s identity development shows clear negotiation between cultural heritage and emerging autonomy. Social identity theory suggests that adolescents often evaluate their self-worth based on peer perceptions (Arnett & Jensen, 2023), which explains his worry about vocal changes and reliance on physical aesthetics. His internal conflict regarding sexuality reflects normative identity exploration, though his lack of supportive in-person connections may intensify his stress.

Paula

Paula exhibits identity concerns tied to body image and social status. According to adolescent developmental theory, this stage often involves comparisons with peers, contributing to disordered eating tendencies and self-esteem challenges. Her pursuit of performance opportunities illustrates a desire for recognition to counter insecurities at home. Her strong attachment to Lori serves as a key emotional anchor amid family discord.

Luis

Luis’ challenges reflect the experiences of many first-generation students who navigate multiple cultural worlds (Arnett & Jensen, 2023). Feelings of disconnection and pressure to succeed contribute to loneliness and difficulty forming deep romantic relationships. His withdrawal from parents is both a coping strategy and a signal of strained familial support.

Conclusion

The conflicts among Kevin, Paula, and Luis stem largely from insecurity, identity exploration, and desire for social acceptance. Paula’s pressure on Luis for alcohol, Luis’ teasing of Kevin’s makeup interest, and the failed flirtation all represent attempts to manage status and vulnerability within their social group.

Luis’ reactions, in particular, appear driven by fragile self-esteem and cultural displacement, leading him to seek validation through humor and flirtation—both of which backfire. These incidents emphasize how adolescent conflict is less about the immediate behavior and more about unmet emotional needs.

Understanding each individual’s developmental context allows for deeper empathy and insight into effective conflict-resolution strategies among teens.

References

Arnett, J. J., & Jensen, L. A. (2023). Adolescence & emerging adulthood: A cultural approach (7th ed.). Pearson.

Dunn, C. B., Pittman, S. K., Mehari, K. R., Titchner, D., & Farrell, A. D. (2022). Early adolescents’ social goals in peer conflict situations: A mixed methods study. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 42(5), 647–670. https://doi.org/10.1177/02724316211064516

PSYC FPX 2720 Assessment 2

Rose, A. J., & Asher, S. R. (1999). Children’s goals and strategies in response to conflicts within a friendship. Developmental Psychology, 35(1), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.35.1.69