Intro:
Good morning, to our panel and to everyone present today. We are the group 3 and we are
here to present and defend our research study entitled “ The Peer Radar: A Focus Group Study
on How Teenagers Identify, Interpret, and Respond to Signs of Stress and Depression In Their
Close Friends”. I am Eurika Edcel Abogotal and with me my co- researchers…
Background of the study
Eurika - “The background of this study is that adolescence is a critical stage of development
where teenagers experience rapid physical, emotional, and social changes. While these
changes help shape their identity, they can also increase vulnerability to stress and depression.
According to the World Health Organization, mental health conditions are common among
adolescents, highlighting the need for early awareness and support.”
Ajoc - During adolescence, friendships become a major source of emotional support. Teenagers
often turn to their friends for comfort, advice, and understanding because they share similar
experiences. As a result, peers are often the first to notice changes in behavior or mood that
may indicate stress or depression.
However, even if teenagers recognize these signs, they may not always know how to respond
effectively or provide the right support. This makes it important to understand how adolescents
identify and respond to signs of stress and depression among their close friends, as this can
help improve early awareness and support for adolescent mental health.
Research Gap
Many studies discuss adolescent mental health and the importance of peer support, but few
focus on how teenagers actually recognize and respond to signs of stress and depression in
their close friends. Most research highlights awareness and friendship quality, yet it rarely
explores the real-life decision-making processes of adolescents when supporting distressed
peers. Therefore, our study addresses this gap by examining how teenagers identify, interpret,
and respond to peer distress within their own social circles
Methods
Alexis : Our study utilizes a narrative inquiry design to dive deep into the social world of
adolescents. We specifically explored how teenagers identify, interpret, and ultimately respond
when they see signs of stress or depression in their close friends. To do this, we focused on
four participants, aged 16 to 17, who were selected through purposive sampling to ensure our
data came from those most relevant to this developmental stage
Mavil: To gather these stories, we conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) using open-
ended questions. This allowed for a natural dialogue where participants could build on each
other's experiences. Every word was audio-recorded and transcribed to ensure accuracy.
Finally, we used thematic coding to comb through the text, identifying the recurring patterns and
key themes that define how these teens support one another
Result
Ajoc: The findings of the study show that teenagers are able to recognize signs of stress and
depression in their close friends through noticeable behavioral changes. Participants commonly
identified signs such as withdrawal from social activities, sudden mood changes, irritability, and
decreased communication. These changes often made friends concerned and prompted them
to check on their peers.
Ben: In response to these situations, most teenagers reported offering support by listening to
their friends, giving encouragement, and checking in on them regularly. Some participants also
mentioned encouraging their friends to seek help from trusted adults such as teachers, parents,
or guidance counselors. These responses show that while teenagers are willing to support their
friends, their actions are mainly based on personal understanding and experience.
Conclusion
The study shows that teenagers play a key role in recognizing and responding to stress and
depression in their friends. They notice changes in behavior, mood, and social interaction, and
often provide support through listening, reassurance, humor, and regular check-ins. Although
these responses are based on experience rather than professional knowledge, the findings
highlight the need for better mental health literacy to help teenagers guide their peers to
appropriate support (Giletta et al., 2018; Sentse et al., 2017).
Recommendations
Eurika - “Based on the findings, schools should implement mental health programs and create
safe spaces where students feel supported. Teachers, counselors, and peer-support groups
should help monitor and guide students responsibly. Parents should encourage open
communication at home, while teenagers should respond with empathy and seek help from
trusted adults when necessary. These strategies can strengthen adolescent mental health and
promote early support for stress and depression.”