Anxiety takes on a different form when kids don’t know how to process those worries, when fear has nowhere safe to land, when thoughts stay trapped inside, or when pressure never lets up. That’s when anxiety grows heavier and harder to manage.

They’ve seen the headlines. They’ve watched the viral clips. Whether it’s a problematic pop star or a polarizing politician, our kids are encountering these people. The question isn’t whether they’ll see them, but whether we’ll help them process what they’re seeing.

A recent study in the Journal of Adolescence examined pubertal self efficacy, a teen’s belief that they can manage the changes and challenges of puberty. Researchers at Cornell found that teens who felt more capable of managing puberty showed fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. They were more emotionally secure and more resilient in the face of change.