Mentoring Youth for Joy in Anxious Times

In this article, the authors set forward a theory of joy built upon adolescent development and describe how anxiety sometimes interferes. They elaborate why adolescence is a time of joy and the type of future-oriented adolescent imagination that fosters joy. Describing adolescent development from neurological, biological, social, sexual orientation, racial identity, and stages of faith perspectives, they show how joy and development are linked in adolescent flourishing. After defining anxiety, showing its prevalence, and distinguishing it from worry they indicate how the existential concerns of anxiety interferes with joy and how mentorship can help. Exploring pertinent Scriptures, they examine some ameliorative effects against anxiety through attachment based play that challenges a competitive culture and mentorship that evokes already-emergent strengths.