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Prior studies have examined the main effects of positive and negative interactions with romantic partners on adolescent well-being, but few studies have tested if positive interactions can buffer the adverse effects of negative interactions on well-being. Data in the present study were from 101 adolescents with romantic partners who participated in a cross-sectional study of parent-adolescent relationships. Adolescents reported on the positive and negative interactions with their romantic partners and indicators of positive youth development, internalizing, externalizing, and loneliness. Overall, positive interactions were associated with the greater positive youth development while negative interactions were associated with greater internalizing, externalizing, and loneliness. There were no significant interaction effects between positive and negative interactions for any of the aspects of adolescent well-being. Thus, aspects of these adolescents' PYD appears to benefit from greater positive interactions, while negative interactions appear to be associated with greater internalizing, externalizing and loneliness. Relationship education for adolescents may help promote more positive romantic partnerships. Relationship educators can help adolescents learn to manage romantic expectations, learn to distinguish between conflicts that should be resolved and those that may warrant breaking up, and helping adolescents build break up skills so they can minimize time spent in conflictual partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal relationships are central to adolescent well-being. The current research investigates interpersonal goal setting among a general sample of adolescents following a growth mindset intervention. This study qualitatively explores what interpersonal goals adolescents set, outcomes they aim to achieve, obstacles they perceive, and actions to overcome the obstacles during the mental contrasting and the implementation intentions goal setting task (MCII). Participants included 217 grade 9 and 12 students (63.13% White/European). One content and three thematic analyses were conducted on adolescent responses to the MCII. Participants largely set goals related to improving the quantity and quality of their friendships. The ultimate ideal outcome of goal achievement was an improved emotional state. Obstacles were both internal (e.g., characteristics) or external (e.g., others) in nature. Actions identified to overcome the obstacle were either active or passive with passive approaches exhibiting lack of congruence with intervention content. Findings contribute to the empirical understanding of adolescent interpersonal goal setting and provide researchers/practitioners a rich resource of youth experiences to draw on when considering goal setting interventions. A better understanding of adolescents' lived experiences setting goals also stands to benefit those who seek to aid youth in improving well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Methods Results and Discussion Conclusion Self‐transcendence is a personality feature and psychological resource that involves feelings of connectedness with the universe, all of humanity, and the individual self. Self‐transcendence has been positively associated with both positive psychotic symptoms and clinical high risk for developing psychosis status, but studies reporting these findings focus solely on the connectedness‐with‐universe aspect of self‐transcendence. The broader self‐transcendence literature, which also includes connection with humanity and oneself, robustly supports self‐transcendence as an indicator of well‐being. Given this discrepancy, we sought to understand whether self‐transcendence should be considered a risk or resilience factor for youth at clinical high risk.We operationalised self‐transcendence using two more holistic measures novel to the clinical high risk population. Clinical high risk participants (n = 42) and healthy controls (n = 44) completed the Adult Self‐Transcendence Inventory and participated in narrative life story interviews which were coded for self‐transcendence themes.Clinical high risk individuals scored lower than healthy controls on measures of self‐transcendence, functioning, and life satisfaction. However, there were no group differences in the relationships between self‐transcendence and measures of well‐being.Our findings suggest self‐transcendence is a part of healthy personality development that may be impacted in clinical high risk individuals yet may still function as a psychological resource for this population, pointing toward new avenues for intervention in clinical high risk and other mental health populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between various environmental capabilities (physical, social, leisure, and emotional) and adolescent well-being across multiple dimensions (physical, emotional, and social well-being). Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 737 adolescents aged 12 to 19 in Tabriz, Iran, in 2022. The study focused on selected sites displaying specific adolescent behaviours in urban spaces, including natural, commercial, sports, urban pathways and intersections, and cultural settings. The questionnaires were used to evaluate environmental capabilities as independent variables and adolescent well-being as the dependent variable.Multivariate regression Analyses were employed to examine the impact of environmental capabilities on adolescent well-being within the defined typologies of urban spaces. The regression analysis unveiled that the commercial sites significantly influenced adolescent well-being, particularly physical well-being (regression coefficient = 0.437). It was found that environmental capabilities, categorized as physical, social, leisure, and emotional, assume a pivotal role in adolescents' well-being across physical, emotional, and social dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present findings from the Our Voice in Barú project, examining adolescent engagement in citizen science to address environmental and social factors affecting well-being in a semi-rural Afro-descendant community in Latin America. The project aimed to identify barriers and enablers of well-being, informing adolescent-led actions for sustainable environmental changes relevant to adolescent health. Utilizing the Our Voice citizen science method, which involved technology-enabled walks, participatory cartography workshops and community meetings, we engaged adolescents and other community members. Complex systems framework was employed to analyze results and assess the promotion of collective action and local change. Local enablers of well-being included availability of quality sports and recreational venues as safe spaces, educational settings and cultural aspects, fostering safety, community pride, and personal growth. Conversely, barriers included environmental contamination, deteriorated sports venues and drug addiction, indicating the community's limited access to services and exposure to harmful substances. Adolescent citizen scientists, in partnership with the research team and relevant community decision-makers, successfully achieved changes aimed at identified barriers, including infrastructural enhancements like the repair of pumps to remove stagnant water, improvements in the quality and safety of recreational venues, and the implementation of community-led initiatives to address substance abuse and promote healthier behaviors. The Our Voice in Barú project empowered adolescents to advocate for change and promoted collective action to tackle barriers identified as significant to their well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health problem is a growing problem in mainland China and the situation has worsened under the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides focusing on tertiary and secondary prevention strategies, there is an urgent need to enhance the well-being of adolescents through primary prevention programs. During the pandemic, a positive youth development program entitled "Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Program" was implemented in schools in mainland China. In 2022/23 academic year, students were invited to write a weekly diary on their experience about the program after completion of the program (N = 2,337). Qualitative evaluation showed that 98.2% of the students perceived the program was beneficial to their well-being in different domains. Specifically, students perceived the program enhanced their sense of community, school and academic adjustment, interpersonal relations (family relations and peer relations), and intrapersonal competence (including optimism, resilience, positive coping with stress, spirituality, life meaning and cherishing one's life). In conjunction with other quantitative and qualitative evaluation findings, the triangulated findings strongly suggest Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Program is a promising program that enhances the psychosocial competence and quality of life of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-based crisis intervention constitutes an iterative and dynamic process strategically designed to enhance the overall well-being of a school community following a crisis experience. It is an ongoing and evolving process that provides immediate support to trauma, promotes positive coping strategies, and prevents long-term psychological impairment. This research proposal endeavors to formulate and execute a comprehensive school crisis intervention program to address the well-being of bullied pupils. The primary objective is cultivating and implementing an empirically informed bullying intervention program seamlessly integrated into the school's responsive services network. Employing a program development research design incorporating qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data will be systematically collected from a cohort of 120 adolescent pupils ages 11 to 16 at schools within the De La Salle West Luzon Cluster. The outcomes of this investigation are poised to contribute significantly to establishing a standardized crisis intervention protocol in educational institutions with a specialized emphasis on addressing the pervasive issue of bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-being of children and adolescents is emerging as an area of interest for population health measurement. Previous approaches assessing national and state trends in well-being have relied on composite indices. However, these methodologies suffer from several weaknesses. This paper develops an improved index for the United States that is measurable with existing population-data resources. It derives the appropriate weights for items in this index using a longitudinal panel of 2,942 children in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Candidate component measures are selected for the index based on their demonstrated association with several subjective scales assessed during young adulthood. The final index demonstrates that a broad range of measures indicate higher levels of population-level well-being. The predictive validity of the index for outcomes during young adulthood is also assessed: a one-standard-deviation increase in the index score is associated with a 7.9-percentage-point decrease [95% CI: 5.9 - 9.8] in ever reporting fair or poor health, a 6.3-percentage-point decrease [95% CI: 4.6 - 8.0] in ever reporting depression, and a 17.2% [95% CI: 13.7% - 20.5%] increase in peak earnings. These values for predictive validity are slightly higher than those of existing methodologies. We also find that incorporating contextual indicators from childhood and adolescence does not substantively improve predictive validity. Policy-makers and government agencies interested in population-level well-being of children and adolescents can continue to use existing indices as reasonable proxies, but should also commit to upgrading data systems to make them more child-centric in the future.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12187-022-09962-0.

Abstract Adolescent psychosomatic complaints remain a public health issue globally. Studies suggest that cyberbullying victimisation, particularly on social media, could heighten the risk of psychosomatic complaints. However, the mechanisms underlying the associations between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints remain unclear. This cross-cultural study examines the mediating effect of problematic social media use (PSMU) on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints among adolescents in high income countries. We analysed data on adolescents aged 11–16.5 years (weighted N = 142,298) in 35 countries participating in the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Path analysis using bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesised mediating role of PSMU. Results from the sequential binary mixed effects logit models showed that adolescents who were victims of cyberbullying were 2.39 times significantly more likely to report psychosomatic complaints than those who never experienced cyberbullying (AOR = 2.39; 95%CI = 2.29, 2.49). PSMU partially mediated the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints accounting for 12% ( $$\beta$$ β = 0.01162, 95%CI = 0.0110, 0.0120) of the total effect. Additional analysis revealed a moderation effect of PSMU on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints. Our findings suggest that while cyberbullying victimisation substantially influences psychosomatic complaints, the association is partially explained by PSMU. Policy and public health interventions for cyberbullying-related psychosomatic complaints in adolescents should target safe social media use.

Adolescent psychosomatic complaints remain a public health issue globally. Studies suggest that cyberbullying victimisation, particularly on social media, could heighten the risk of psychosomatic complaints. However, the mechanisms underlying the associations between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints remain unclear. This cross-cultural study examines the mediating effect of problematic social media use (PSMU) on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints among adolescents in high income countries. We analysed data on adolescents aged 11–16.5 years (weighted N = 142,298) in 35 countries participating in the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Path analysis using bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesised mediating role of PSMU. Results from the sequential binary mixed effects logit models showed that adolescents who were victims of cyberbullying were 2.39 times significantly more likely to report psychosomatic complaints than those who never experienced cyberbullying (AOR = 2.39; 95%CI = 2.29, 2.49). PSMU partially mediated the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints accounting for 12% (β = 0.01162, 95%CI = 0.0110, 0.0120) of the total effect. Additional analysis revealed a moderation effect of PSMU on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints. Our findings suggest that while cyberbullying victimisation substantially influences psychosomatic complaints, the association is partially explained by PSMU. Policy and public health interventions for cyberbullying-related psychosomatic complaints in adolescents should target safe social media use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between reproductive/sexual health and mental health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), specifically focusing on adolescent health. It highlights the high prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents globally and the challenges they face in managing reproductive/sexual health issues. The article emphasizes the need for tailored services and comprehensive support and treatment for adolescents in LMICs. It also calls for increased recognition of their unique challenges and the development of accessible information and services. The document underscores the importance of research, education, health practices, and policy changes to address these issues and acknowledges the diverse perspectives and concerns of different adolescent populations. [Extracted from the article]

Emerging research has shown that boys and girls may relate to compassionate and uncompassionate components of self-compassion differently and have distinct gender based self-compassion profiles. This study extended upon recent research by investigating gender based adolescent self-compassion profiles and their relationship with psychological well-being and the role of nonattachment in the link between self-compassion and well-being. A large cross-sectional sample of Australian Year 10 high school students (N = 1,944, Mage = 15.65 years, SDage = 0.43; 50% girls) completed measures of self-compassion, nonattachment, and well-being. Latent profile analysis identified distinct self-compassion profiles based on gender. Four profiles labelled 'Low Self-Relating', 'Moderate Self-Relating', 'Compassionate', and 'Uncompassionate' emerged for girls. Three profiles emerged for boys labelled 'Low Self-Relating', 'Moderate Self-Relating, and 'Compassionate'. 'Low' and 'Moderate Self-Relating' profiles involved low and moderate levels of both compassionate and uncompassionate self-relating. 'Compassionate' profiles involved high levels of compassionate and low levels of uncompassionate self-relating, and 'Uncompassionate' profiles involved the opposite. For both genders, 'Compassionate' profiles were associated with the highest psychological well-being and nonattachment and 'Uncompassionate' profiles with the lowest of both. 'Low' and 'Moderate Self-Relating' profiles showed no difference in psychological well-being or nonattachment. Mediation analysis indicated that nonattachment partially mediated the relationship between self-compassion profile and psychological well-being. These findings support recent research that illustrates adolescents relate to the components of self-compassion differently both between and within genders. It also highlights the crucial role nonattachment plays in the relationship between self-compassion and psychological well-being in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the limitations of the traditional parenting model in the cultural transition period, this study investigated the relationship between parenting behaviors and adolescents' well-being, in which the moderating role of consistency in parent–adolescent cultural orientation was also investigated. Six hundred forty-four parent–adolescent dyads completed self-report surveys. Parents completed the cultural orientation questionnaire (parental version), and adolescents completed the cultural orientation questionnaire (adolescent version), the adolescent-perceived parenting behavior scale, the adolescent basic psychological needs scale, and the adolescent well-being questionnaire. The findings were as follows: (1) Adolescent-perceived parental autonomy support positively predicted the satisfaction of adolescents' basic psychological needs, thereby enhancing adolescents' well-being levels. Conversely, adolescent-perceived parental control significantly predicted the frustration of adolescents' basic psychological needs, thereby reducing their well-being levels. (2) When both parents and adolescents share a collectivistic cultural orientation, high parental control significantly frustrated adolescents' basic psychological needs, but it did not negatively affect their well-being. However, when parents are collectivists but adolescents are individualists, high parental control would significantly induce the frustration of basic psychological needs, thus further impairing adolescents' well-being. The results revealed that differences in cultural orientations between generations during cultural transition periods moderate the effects of parenting behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The process of personality formation is closely related to the period of adolescence. One of the dimensions of personality - locus of control (LOC) can be defined as a person's beliefs about the locus of reinforcement control. Considering that the locus of control is formed as a result of social learning, the adolescent's perception of the relationship between his own behavior and its consequences may depend largely on his parents' attitudes toward him. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between parental attitudes and adolescents' locus of control. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among 386 students aged 13-16 years (M = 14.87): 208 girls and 178 boys were included. The research instruments used in the study were the Parental Attitude Scale (SPR-2) by M. Plopa and the Sense of Control Questionnaire - revised version (KBPK-R) by Krasowicz-Kupis and Wojnarska. Results: According to the results of the study, parental attitudes are related to both the general level of locus of control in adolescents and the locus of control in a situation of success and failure. Conclusions: The results of the study underscore the importance of parental attitudes and the role of parents in shaping adolescent personality. Research suggests that parental attitudes may be both a risk factor and a protective factor in the development of adolescent psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools provide a crucial platform for health and well-being interventions targeting children and adolescents. Early promotive and preventive initiatives are vital for enabling children and adolescents to reach their optimal potential, thereby adding to the country's social return-on-investment, creating a favourable demographic dividend. This review analyses the evolution of school health initiatives in India, including the current curriculum proposed under the Ayushman Bharat program. The manuscript highlights the challenges, and gaps in implementation of the current school health programs and proposes potential pathways for bridging these gaps for promotion of adolescent well-being. The review also discusses the concept of Health Promoting Schools and suggests adaptations and key recommendations to Indian context regarding 'how' to translate it into on-field reality based on the appraisal of successful case studies from other countries. Though India started school health services more than 100 y ago, the school health programmes in most Indian states are weak and fragmented, with piecemeal health screening with minimal focus on health promotion and well-being. The recently launched School Health and Wellness initiative under the Ayushman Bharat program has lots of promise. However, it needs to be translated into effective implementation to prevent it from meeting the fate of its forerunner programs. The school health program needs to move beyond the screening centric approach and be aspirational and holistic in nature focusing upon the overall well-being of the adolescents. Concerted efforts through intersectoral convergence are needed to optimally utilise the platforms of schools for promotion of adolescent well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This theoretical article aims to recognize the potential of intersectionality theory for understanding well‐being during childhood and adolescence, particularly from a community psychology perspective. Following the tenets of intersectionality, the article analyses and proposes three relevant dimensions for community psychologists, researchers and professionals interested in studying and intervening in children's and adolescents' well‐being. Those dimensions consider (1) adultism as an intersecting power axis fundamental for understanding well‐being, (2) the acknowledgment of diversity in well‐being conceptions and experiences as a critical issue and (3) the need for advancing studies that involve praxis and engagement in transformative changes for child and adolescent well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: This study investigated the relationship between parents’ attitudes toward gender roles and the social isolation of female adolescents in Iran in 2021. Methods: This descriptive study of a correlational type and its statistical population included all female adolescents studying in secondary schools in the city of Isfahan in 2021, out of whom 133 were selected by convenience sampling. They answered the following questionnaires: the Homami et al Questionnaire on Attitudes toward Gender Roles in Family Life and the Modarresi Yazdi et al Social Isolation Questionnaire. Research data were analyzed through the independent t test, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Spearman correlation coefficient using SPSS-12 software. Results: An analysis of the present data showed that the mean score of social isolation was significantly lower in students whose parents had a justice-seeking attitude in the domain of parental roles than in students whose parents had a feminist attitude in this domain (P=0.005, t=-2.876). The mean scores of social isolation in the dimensions: of loneliness (P=0.040, t=-2.073) and social despair (P=0.036, t=-2.124) were also significantly lower in students whose parents had a justice-seeking attitude in the domain of parental roles than in students whose parents had a feminist attitude in this domain. The mean score of social isolation was significantly higher in students whose parents had a feminist attitude in the domain of general marital roles than in students whose parents had a justice-seeking or masculinist attitude. The mean score of loneliness was significantly higher in students whose parents had a feminist attitude in this domain than in students whose parents had a justice-seeking attitude. But no significant difference was observed between students whose parents had a feminist attitude and those with a masculinist attitude. Conclusion: Parents’ attitudes and behavior in gender behaviors are essential factors in mental health, especially social isolation in female adolescents. When parents’ attitudes towards their children’s gender roles are justice-seeking; they can better communicate with their children, so their children feel less lonely and socially isolated.

Introduction: Despite a growing body of research on associations between adolescent digital use and well‐being, few studies have investigated these associations a) longitudinally and b) across socioeconomic status. The present study uses high‐quality longitudinal data to examine how digital engagement shapes socioemotional and educational outcomes from early to late adolescence across socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Participants are 7685 individuals (49.0% female) from the 1998 birth cohort of the longitudinal Growing Up In Ireland (GUI) survey. The survey was administered to Irish parents and children between 2007 and 2016 (at ages 9, 13, and 17/18). Fixed‐effects regression modeling was used to establish associations between digital engagement and socioemotional and educational outcomes. Further Fixed‐Effects models were analyzed separately by SES, to assess how associations between digital use and adolescent outcomes differ by socioeconomic groups. Results: Results show that digital screen time increases markedly from early to late adolescence, but to a higher extent among low‐SES versus high‐SES groups. Heavy levels of digital screen time (i.e., 3+ hours daily) are associated with declines in well‐being, particularly for external and prosocial functioning, while engagement in learning‐oriented digital activities and gaming is associated with better adolescent outcomes. Yet, low‐SES adolescents are globally more harmed than high‐SES adolescents by their digital engagement, and high‐SES adolescents benefit more from moderate levels of digital use and from engaging in learning‐oriented digital activities. Conclusions: This study suggests that digital engagement is associated with socioeconomic inequalities in adolescents' socioemotional well‐being and, to a lesser extent, educational outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empowerment theories provide the conceptual framework to understand the process of change among marginalized groups in rehabilitation. Sociopolitical control is an element of the intrapersonal component of psychological empowerment (PE). The current study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth (SPCS‐Y) in a sample of institutionalized young male offenders (N = 190) and examines its relationships with well‐being, perception of educational environment, self‐efficacy, and drug consumption. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the two‐dimensional structure of the SPCS‐Y (leadership competence and policy control). Linear regression models indicated that consumption of drugs contribute positively to leadership competence, and policy control was explained by well‐being, positive perception of educational environment, and enlisting social support. The results are consistent with previous studies from other countries and indicate that the SPCS‐Y is a valid measure to assess sociopolitical control among adolescents in rehabilitation. Additionally, theoretical implications and directions for practice are discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations between warm and harsh parenting and adolescent well-being, and the mediating effects of self-kindness and self-judgment, in relationships. Moreover, this study investigated developmental differences across three adolescence stages (early, middle, and late). Methods: In total, 14,776 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.53 ± 2.08, 52.3% males), including individuals in early (10–12 years old, N = 5055), middle (13–15 years old, N = 6714), and late adolescence (16–18 years old, N = 3007) participated in this study. All the adolescents rated their levels of warm and harsh parenting, self-kindness and self-judgment, and well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to examine the mediation model. Multi-group analysis was conducted to investigate differences in the mediation model across the different developmental stages. Results: Both warm and harsh parenting were related to adolescent well-being through the mediating effects of self-kindness and self-judgment. However, warm parenting exerted a more substantial impact on adolescent well-being. Self-kindness had a more robust mediating effect than self-judgment in relationships. Moreover, harsh parenting had a weaker impact on adolescent well-being in late adolescence than in early and middle adolescence. Warm parenting had a more significant impact on adolescent well-being in early adolescence than in middle and late adolescence. Conclusions: Overall, warm parenting had a more substantial effect than harsh parenting on adolescent well-being. The findings also highlighted the crucial mediating effect of self-kindness in the relationships between parenting and well-being. Moreover, this study also indicated the importance of warm parenting in early adolescence. Intervention programs should focus on enhancing the level of warm parenting to promote self-kindness in adolescents, in order to improve their well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined how schoolwide norms came together into distinct profiles and how norm profile membership was linked to adolescent well‐being. Using school‐level (N = 786) and student‐level data (N = 174,587 12th grade students; 52% female; 64% White, 13% Latino, 12% Black, 12% other) from Monitoring the Future (MTF), we identified four distinct school profiles—average, academic, prepped‐for‐college, party—that had unique patterns of shared norms. Compared with average schools, academic schools (high academics and low substance use and social integration norms) were most advantageous for students, prepped‐for‐college schools (high academics, substance use, and social integration norms) had both benefits and drawbacks, and party schools (low academics and high substance use and social integration norms) were most detrimental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to examine the association between multiple health complaints (MHC) in pre-adolescence and prescription redemption in adolescence. Methods: This was a nationwide population-based study based on the Danish National Birth Cohort for an average of 6.9 years (2010–2018). A total of 96,382 children were invited at the age of 11. A modified version of the Health Behaviour in School Children Symptom Checklist was dichotomised into the World Health Organization's definition of MHC (⩾2 complaints, each with a frequency of at least weekly, yes/no). The number of prescriptions was retrieved from Danish registries. Negative binomial regression estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing children with MHC to children without. Prescription redemption was further stratified by psychiatric/somatic medication and into subtypes of prescriptions. Results: A total of 47,365 (49.1%) children participated (M age=11.2 years, 52% girls). MHC were reported by 10.3%. The unadjusted IRR (MHC vs. no MHC) of all types of redemptions was 1.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49–1.64). Results were robust to adjustment for socio-demographic variables and somatic/psychiatric morbidity at baseline (IRR=1.47; 95% CI 1.40–1.54). Associations were especially strong for psychiatric medication (adjusted IRR=3.88; 95% CI 3.43–4.40) and were modified by neither sex nor maternal education. Conclusions: MHC in pre-adolescents predict prescription redemption. This implies that changes in MHC might be indicative of changes in public health. This requires further study, as the cause of a change in reporting of symptoms might also cause a change in treatment response. The latter determines whether prescriptions are treating ill-being or needlessly medicalising subjective symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has a large population of adolescents living in shelter homes. However, there is a scarcity of empirical literature on mental health promotion programs developed to suit their unique needs. Aim: The aim of this research was to design a need-based mental health promotion program for runaway and homeless adolescents living in a shelter home in Vadodara, India. Methods: To gain a holistic understanding into their mental health issues and felt needs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with these adolescents along with key stakeholders such as their care takers, counselors, and teachers. The key needs identified pertained to issues related to academics, reduction of substance abuse, anger management, and emotional regulation. On the basis of identified needs, a training program of 13 sessions was developed using indigenous technique of Yoga and techniques from literature of subjective well-being and life skills. Total sample included 35 male adolescents from 12 to 18 years of age. Participants were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 19) and control group (n = 16). Pre- and post-intervention assessment was performed using Academic Stress Scale, State Trait Anxiety Scale, Children and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure, and Children Depression Inventory. Results: The results indicated that trait anxiety was significantly reduced, and there was a significant increase in mindfulness in the intervention group. However, there was no significant improvement in depression and academic stress. Discussion: The observations from this study are detailed to sensitize researchers toward the design and delivery of mental health promotion programs for institutionalized youth.

Background: In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, one way to prevent the prevalence is quarantine that has negative psychological effects, especially for students. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychological well-being in predicting sleep quality during COVID-19 quarantine in high school students. Methods: This study was descriptive-correlational. A sample (n = 212) was selected by convenience sampling method from all high school students in Kalaleh, Golestan Province, Iran. Data were collected using the online demographic questionnaire, Reef Psychological Well-being Scale (PWB), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Finally, the data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression in SPSS software (P ≤ 0.05). Findings: Based on the results obtained by regression analysis, psychological well-being was able to predict sleep quality (P = 0.011, F = 6.54, R2 = 0.030). Among the psychological well-being variables, “environmental mastery” (P = 0.001, T = -5.379, R2 = 0.120) had the highest ability to predict sleep problems in high school students during COVID-19 quarantine. The results also showed that the components of gender, education, and ethnicity did not play a modulating role. Conclusion: Psychological well-being plays a role in predicting the quality of sleep of high school students during COVID-19 quarantine. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to students' psychological well-being in the COVID-19 epidemic and the resulting quarantine.

Wealth inequality in the United States has increased tremendously over the last several decades and has potentially serious repercussions for disparities in child well-being. Household debt, a key component of wealth, may also play a role in such disparities. In this study, we explore the associations of parents’ unsecured debt with children’s socioemotional well-being. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we compare the associations of mothers’ unsecured household debt, fathers’ unsecured household debt, and fathers’ child support arrears with socioemotional outcomes among nine- and fifteen-year old children who have a nonresident father. We find robust evidence that nonresident fathers’ child support arrears, but not other types of parental household debt, are associated with worse outcomes and that these associations become stronger as children age.

Introduction: Extracurricular activity participation is associated with positive academic, health, and behavioral outcomes for adolescents, but these findings may reflect unobserved confounding rather than participation effects.Method: Data were drawn from 3885 adolescents aged 12-15 in a nationally representative cohort of Australian adolescents. Effects of participation in three kinds of extracurricular activity (team sport, individual sport, and arts) on an array of outcomes were modeled using fixed-effects regression to account for potential unobserved confounding.Results: Strong bivariate relationships between all forms of activity participation and positive adolescent outcomes were found. These associations were much smaller in the fixed-effects analysis, but beneficial effects of sports for mental health and arts for peer group characteristics remained statistically significant. Minimal effects of extracurricular activity participation for academic achievement were found.Conclusion: Extracurricular activity participation has beneficial effects on adolescents' mental health and exposure to peers' delinquent behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing appreciation that, in order to prepare learners for success in life, they require a holistic education providing not only academic skills, but also psychosocial competencies (Zins & Elias, 2006). Outdoor adventure education (OAE) shows potential as a way of developing these life skills, which are not easy to incorporate into the school curriculum (Sibthorp & Jostad, 2014). The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the psychosocial outcomes and perceived value of a school-based OAE programme (Journey) for adolescents in South Africa. Data from a convenience sample of 144 Grade 10 learners’ post-Journey surveys, letters to the school principals and interviews with members of the focus groups (n = 20), were thematically analysed using template analysis. Applying the acronym, FLOURISHING, the analysis suggests that while Journey was beneficial for the psychosocial development of most learners, not all perceived value from their experiences. We propose that positive psychosocial outcomes could be enhanced by adopting a strength-based approach to OAE. This study provides a unique sociocultural perspective, corroborating the beneficial effects of OAE and could have implications for pedagogical policy and practice within South Africa (SA) and further afield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has a large population of adolescents living in shelter homes. However, there is a scarcity of empirical literature on mental health promotion programs developed to suit their unique needs. Aim: The aim of this research was to design a need-based mental health promotion program for runaway and homeless adolescents living in a shelter home in Vadodara, India. Methods: To gain a holistic understanding into their mental health issues and felt needs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with these adolescents along with key stakeholders such as their care takers, counselors, and teachers. The key needs identified pertained to issues related to academics, reduction of substance abuse, anger management, and emotional regulation. On the basis of identified needs, a training program of 13 sessions was developed using indigenous technique of Yoga and techniques from literature of subjective well-being and life skills. Total sample included 35 male adolescents from 12 to 18 years of age. Participants were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 19) and control group (n = 16). Pre- and post-intervention assessment was performed using Academic Stress Scale, State Trait Anxiety Scale, Children and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure, and Children Depression Inventory. Results: The results indicated that trait anxiety was significantly reduced, and there was a significant increase in mindfulness in the intervention group. However, there was no significant improvement in depression and academic stress. Discussion: The observations from this study are detailed to sensitize researchers toward the design and delivery of mental health promotion programs for institutionalized youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This aim of this study is to contribute to the existing literature on the psychosocial outcomes of outdoor adventure education. In doing so, it explores the relationship between Journey, a school-based programme and life effectiveness skills, emotional literacy, and resilience for adolescents in a South African setting. Employing a pre–post quasi-experimental design, a purposive convenience sample of 144 Grade 10 learners was recruited for this study. Results of the three measures demonstrated that, after participating in Journey, there were statistically significant increases in self-reports of life effectiveness and resilience, but not of emotional literacy. The importance of the unique contribution of this study to international and South African outdoor adventure education research is discussed, with recommendations for future research and considerations of the practical implications of the findings for programme design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interparental conflicts have long been recognized as a risk factor for maladjustment in adolescents. Many studies have been conducted to examine mediators that account for the negative effects of interparental conflicts on adolescents' adjustment, well-being, and development. However, locus of control, which is about the extent to which people believe life events and outcomes are attributed to personal and/or non-personal factors, has not been examined as a mediator in this association. Hence, this study aimed to fill this research gap and tested the mediating role of locus of control in the association between interparental conflicts and adjustment of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. A total of 366 senior secondary school students in Hong Kong participated in the study and 353 of them provided complete data for analyses. They completed a set of questionnaires about their perceptions of interparental conflicts, locus of control, and adjustment and well-being. Results indicated that the associations between interparental conflicts and adolescents' adjustment (measured by subjective happiness, life satisfaction, negative mood, and problem-focused coping) were significantly mediated by locus of control. A higher level of interparental conflicts was related to a lower sense of personal control in adolescents which in turn was associated with worse adjustment and well-being. Implications regarding the role locus of control can play in intervention programs are discussed. Highlights: This study examined the association between interparental conflicts and adjustment of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Locus of control was tested as a potential mediator. Interparental conflicts were found to be negatively associated with adolescents' adjustment. Internal and external loci of control significantly mediated this association. The findings provide support to a previously unstudied pathway by which conflicts between parents affect adolescents' adjustment and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Parents and adolescents often have different views regarding parental racial socialization practices; however, studies documenting such discrepancies remain scarce. Using a person-centered approach, this study investigated patterns of parent–adolescent discrepant views on racial socialization (i.e., cultural socialization, bias coping, bias awareness) as well as antecedents and consequences of the discrepancy profiles. Participants were 604 adolescents (54% female, Mage = 12.41, Rangeage = 11–15) and their mothers and fathers. The results showed distinct discrepancy patterns and suggested that more maternal/paternal warmth was associated with profiles that have smaller discrepancies or profiles in which adolescents reported higher socialization than parents. Adolescents who reported higher or similar socialization as parents demonstrated better adjustment. Implications for interventions aimed at strengthening parent–child relationships and communication about race and culture are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theories suggest that having a meaningful life has beneficial effects on adolescent well-being. Encouraging adolescents to search for meaning in their lives is therefore well advised. However, whether and how the search for meaning in life (SMIL) is related to adolescent well-being is unclear. Thus, this study tested the following two hypotheses, based on a sample of 1539 Chinese adolescents in the tenth grade (Mage = 15.8 years): 1) the SMIL promotes adolescent well-being ("SMIL-as-promotor"), and 2) social connectedness mediates the link between the SMIL and adolescent well-being ("connectedness-as-mediator"). Multiple regression analyses revealed that SMIL was positively associated with life satisfaction, self-esteem and positive affect, and negatively associated with negative affect in the adolescents who exhibited low levels of presence of meaning; thus supporting the SMIL-as-promotor hypothesis. Mediation analyses revealed that SMIL was related to social connectedness (i.e., parent-child communication and peer relationship), which, in turn, was linked to the presence of meaning and hedonic well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, self-esteem, positive affect, and negative affect). These findings support the connectedness-as-mediator hypothesis. The implications of these findings for youth prevention programs and intervention services are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the causal effect of parents' education on three outcomes of their adolescent offspring aged 10–15 years in China. Empirical results from propensity score matching show that only mothers with a college degree have an effect on the emotional well-being of adolescents. Mothers' educational influence on health and emotional well-being of adolescents is also greater than fathers but in rural areas, only father's education has an impact on health and education of the adolescents. Sons however benefit more than daughters in the domains of health and educational well-being from parents' education. Evidence indicates that promoting women's education is a key urban policy although in rural areas, empowering women and providing an enabling environment through communities and schools is critical to improving various well-being outcomes of the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations between warm and harsh parenting and adolescent well-being, and the mediating effects of self-kindness and self-judgment, in relationships. Moreover, this study investigated developmental differences across three adolescence stages (early, middle, and late). Methods: In total, 14,776 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.53 ± 2.08, 52.3% males), including individuals in early (10–12 years old, N = 5055), middle (13–15 years old, N = 6714), and late adolescence (16–18 years old, N = 3007) participated in this study. All the adolescents rated their levels of warm and harsh parenting, self-kindness and self-judgment, and well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to examine the mediation model. Multi-group analysis was conducted to investigate differences in the mediation model across the different developmental stages. Results: Both warm and harsh parenting were related to adolescent well-being through the mediating effects of self-kindness and self-judgment. However, warm parenting exerted a more substantial impact on adolescent well-being. Self-kindness had a more robust mediating effect than self-judgment in relationships. Moreover, harsh parenting had a weaker impact on adolescent well-being in late adolescence than in early and middle adolescence. Warm parenting had a more significant impact on adolescent well-being in early adolescence than in middle and late adolescence. Conclusions: Overall, warm parenting had a more substantial effect than harsh parenting on adolescent well-being. The findings also highlighted the crucial mediating effect of self-kindness in the relationships between parenting and well-being. Moreover, this study also indicated the importance of warm parenting in early adolescence. Intervention programs should focus on enhancing the level of warm parenting to promote self-kindness in adolescents, in order to improve their well-being.

Although theories and research emphasize the importance of adolescent life skills, different stakeholders' perceptions of the related issues have not been systematically investigated, particularly in Chinese contexts. This paper presents and integrates findings from four studies examining perceptions of different stakeholders on the need for and adequacy of life skills education and perceived adolescent life skills in Hong Kong. Data from four studies were used, including a longitudinal study with senior high school students (N = 3328+) and three cross-sectional studies based on students (N = 2474), teachers (N = 568) and parents (N = 431). Participants responded to measures on their perceptions of the need for life skills education and adequacy of related education in the formal curriculum. They also rated adolescent life skills in different domains, including emotional competence, moral competence, resilience, problem-solving, life meaning, gratefulness, social competence, and integrity. Consistent across the four studies, while many stakeholders regarded life skills as important for adolescents, a majority of them also perceived life skills education as insufficient in the school curriculum. There were also views suggesting that adolescent life skills development was incomplete. Compared with teachers and parents, adolescents perceived higher levels of life skills in themselves and adolescents in Hong Kong. There is a strong perceived need to step up life skills education in adolescents, particularly in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing attention is being given to understanding factors that promote individuals' happiness, life satisfaction, engagement, and meaning in life. This study examined the mutual benefits of a close, connected relationship for parents' and adolescents' daily subjective well-being (SWB) and eudaimonia (EUD). Using multilevel actor-partner interdependence models and data from a 21-day daily dairy study of 151 parent-adolescent dyads, we examined the differential role that feelings of connectedness play in parents' and adolescents' daily SWB and EUD. Parents' usual and daily feelings of connectedness to their adolescent were most strongly linked to SWB for parents and adolescents; in contrast, adolescents' usual and daily feelings of connectedness to their parent were most strongly linked to EUD for parents and adolescents. These findings underscore the importance considering the nature of connectedness in parent-adolescent relationships for understanding their SWB and EUD and point to opportunities for family-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined reports of changing eating to manage weight/shape over one year among adolescents. It also tested how changing eating for weight/shape was associated with physical activity (resistance training, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; MVPA) and mental health (depressive symptoms, flourishing), and whether weight perceptions moderated these associations. Participants were Canadian adolescents (N = 20,614, M age ± SD = 14.4 ± 1.3, 52.9% girls) who completed self-report surveys in the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 waves of the COMPASS study. Separate multilevel models were tested for each outcome. Approximately 30% of adolescents reported changing their eating to manage weight/shape at least once a week. More days of changing eating were associated with significantly higher depressive symptoms and lower flourishing cross-sectionally (b = 0.51, b = −0.27) and over time (b = 0.35, −0.20); the flourishing association over time was weaker for adolescents who perceived themselves as overweight relative to about right. More days of changing eating were also associated with more MVPA and resistance training cross-sectionally (b = 2.81, b = 0.19) and over time (b = 1.28, b = 10). The relationship between changing eating and MVPA over time was stronger for adolescents who perceived themselves as overweight relative to about right; whereas the cross-sectional relationship between changing eating and resistance training was weaker. Reports of changing eating to manage weight/shape were associated with divergent health outcomes; research into how and to what extreme adolescents are changing eating to manage weight/shape, and identity factors that may contribute to these differences, is warranted. • 30% of adolescents changed eating to manage weight/shape at least once a week. • More days of changed eating per week related to more physical activity. • More days of changed eating per week related to poorer mental health. • A small but significant moderating effect was found for weight perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overweight and obesity are common issues that have increased in children and adolescents in recent years. Along the physical problems, the psychological state of these individuals has also been considered by researchers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of cognitive self-compassion and mindfulness on the educational well-being of overweight adolescent students. The research method was a pretest-posttest with a control group. The participants consisted of 60 male overweight students (each group, 20) who were selected through a purposeful sampling and were assigned to two experimental and one control groups. Two questionnaires including educational engagement scale and the pleasure of physical activity scale were used to collect data. One group received cognitive self-compassion and the other group received mindfulness training and the control group did not receive any training. According to the results that self-compassion training and mindfulness significantly increased academic engagement and enjoyment of physical activity. The findings showed that there was no difference between the two methods of increasing the pleasure of physical activity, but mindfulness training had a greater effect on increasing academic engagement. Overall, the results showed that these two methods could significantly increase the educational well-being of overweight students.

Wealth inequality in the United States has increased tremendously over the last several decades and has potentially serious repercussions for disparities in child well-being. Household debt, a key component of wealth, may also play a role in such disparities. In this study, we explore the associations of parents' unsecured debt with children's socioemotional well-being. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we compare the associations of mothers' unsecured household debt, fathers' unsecured household debt, and fathers' child support arrears with socioemotional outcomes among nine-and fifteen-year-old children who have a nonresident father. We find robust evidence that nonresident fathers' child support arrears, but not other types of parental household debt, are associated with worse outcomes and that these associations become stronger as children age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant measures of adolescent well-being in the United States typically focus on negative indicators of youth outcomes. Indices comprised of such measures paint bleak views of youth and orient action toward the prevention of problems over the promotion of protective factors. Their tendency to focus analyses at a state or county geographic scale produces limited information about localized outcome patterns that could inform policymakers, practitioners and advocacy networks. We discuss the construction of a new geo-referenced index of youth well-being based on positive indicators of youth development. In demonstrating the index for the greater Sacramento, California region of the United States, we find that overall youth well-being falls far short of an optimal outcome, and geographic disparities in well-being appear to exist across school districts at all levels of our analysis. Despite its limitations, the sub-county geographic scale of this index provides needed data to facilitate local and regional interventions.

Family‐level conflict and cohesion are well‐established predictors of adolescent mental health. However, traditional approaches focusing on between‐family differences in cohesion and conflict may overlook daily intrafamily variability that might provide important new information. We used data from a 21‐day daily diary protocol in a sample of 151 caregivers (95.3% female) and their adolescent child (61.5% female) in two‐caregiver families to test whether daily changes in family functioning are associated with daily changes in adolescent well‐being and whether adolescent well‐being depends on average levels of family functioning. We examined family cohesion and conflict in relation to adolescent angry, depressed, and anxious mood, as well as happiness, life satisfaction, and meaning and purpose in life in multilevel models. Both cohesion and conflict exhibited meaningful daily variation. Adolescent‐reported cohesion and conflict had unique within‐family associations with all six adolescent outcomes. Models using parent reports of family functioning yielded fewer associations than models with adolescent reports; however, several findings remained. Cross‐level interactions indicated that within‐family variations in cohesion were only associated with adolescent depression in families with lower average levels of cohesion across days. In sum, this study provides compelling evidence that families exhibit meaningful variability from day to day and that daily variation has important implications for adolescent well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the psychosocial outcomes of an outdoor adventure program for adolescents. A purposive sample of 144 Grade 10 learners participated in the Journey outdoor adventure education (OAE) programme (female = 48.6%, black = 27.5%; mean age =16.5 years; SD = 3.45 years). Applying a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design, the adolescents completed self-report measures (including the Life Effectiveness Questionnaire, Emotional Literacy Questionnaire, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) at three points in time: pre- and post-Journey, and four months later. Results following ANOVA analysis indicated increases in the adolescents' self-reports of life effectiveness and resilience (but not of emotional literacy) on completion of the programme. Findings suggest that a strength-based OAE would enhance psychosocial outcomes of adolescent school learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research on opioid misuse and child outcomes is scattered across subfields and nascent compared to scholarship regarding consequences for adults. This scoping review synthesizes studies examining postnatal consequences of parent opioid misuse for children. Findings from 52 studies showed a descriptive connection between parental opioid misuse and a range of adverse child outcomes including accidental poisonings, psychopathology, and child welfare system contact. It was unclear if connections between opioid misuse and child outcomes were due to opioids specifically or to related risk factors. Studies comparing opioids to other substances were inconclusive and few studies measured potential parenting mechanisms that may explain the association between opioid misuse and child outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]