Family Functioning and Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Problems: Disentangling between-, and Within-Family Associations

Mastrotheodoros, Stefanos; Canário, Catarina; Gugliandolo, Maria Cristina; Merkaš, Marina; Keijsers, Loes

doi:10.1007/s10964-019-01094-z

Cited by 57 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…In contrast, other studies have found poor family communication to be associated with higher adolescent anxiety and depression ( Bögels and Brechman-Toussaint, 2006 ; Smokowski et al, 2015 ; Withers et al, 2016 ) and lower self-esteem ( Smokowski et al, 2015 ). Finally, Mastrotheodoros et al (2019) did not find any associations of family functioning and adolescent internalized problems on the family level.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…Exploring these dynamics could help to clarify the existing mixed research findings. For example, some studies have found that adolescent internalizing disorders negatively impact family functioning ( Branje et al, 2010 ; Elgar et al, 2013 ; Mastrotheodoros et al, 2019 ). In contrast, other studies have found poor family communication to be associated with higher adolescent anxiety and depression ( Bögels and Brechman-Toussaint, 2006 ; Smokowski et al, 2015 ; Withers et al, 2016 ) and lower self-esteem ( Smokowski et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Positive Youth Development in Croatia: School and Family Factors Associated With Mental Health of Croatian Adolescents

et al. 2021

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IntroductionA framework for understanding the interrelationship of individual and environmental factors that influence adolescent health and well-being, as well as opportunities for policy-level interventions, is known as Positive Youth Development (PYD). The current study represents one of the largest studies of Croatian adolescents to date, and aimed to examine associations between school and family factors linked to PYD, and mental health outcomes experienced by Croatian youth.MethodsA multi-site survey study was conducted among adolescents (N = 9,655) residing in the five most populous cities in Croatia, with the aim of examining cross-sectional associations of family and school factors with adolescent mental health. The mean age of participants was 16.3 years (SD = 1.2), and 52.5% of participants were female. School and family factors included school attachment, school commitment, family communication, and family satisfaction. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed as outcomes. Multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine relations of interest among female and male adolescents.ResultsAmong school factors, increased school attachment was found to be significantly associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress for female adolescents, and with decreased depression and stress for male adolescents. Increased school commitment was significantly associated with decreased depression and anxiety for female adolescents; conversely, an increase in school commitment was associated with an increase in anxiety and stress for male adolescents. Increases in family communication were significantly associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress only for male adolescents, while increased family satisfaction was significantly associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress for female adolescents and with decreased depression and stress for male adolescents.ConclusionFindings suggest that interventions for mental health promotion and prevention of internalizing problems should address both school and family contexts, and may be more effective when accounting for differing developmental experiences of female and male adolescents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Youth Development in Croatia: School and Family Factors Associated With Mental Health of Croatian Adolescents

et al. 2021

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“…Theoretically, this extensive communication may serve both as facilitator for socialization, learning, and establishing friendships as well as potential platform for online bullying or social isolation [13]. Due to both physical and environmental changes, adolescence has been described as a vulnerable period for the development of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems [14]. Common internalizing problems seen in adolescents are depressive symptoms and anxiety, while examples of externalizing problems seen in adolescents are inattention and hyperactivity [15].…”

Section: Conflicts Of Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Media and Mental Health Among Early Adolescents in Sweden: A Longitudinal Study With 2-Year Follow-Up (KUPOL Study)

Beeres

Andersson

Vossen

et al. 2021

Journal of Adolescent Health

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The aim of this study is to assess the longitudinal associations between the frequency of social media use and symptoms of mental ill-health among Swedish adolescents. Methods: Data came from KUPOL, a Swedish school-based longitudinal cohort accrued in 101 participating schools in 8 regions of Sweden. The study sample consisted of 3,501 adolescents in grade 8 (14e15 years, 51.5%, n ¼ 1,765 girls) followed for 2 consecutive years. Daily social media use was measured as weighted average of self-reported use in weekdays and weekend days. Mental health was measured with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was applied to distinguish between-person from withinperson associations between social media use and symptoms of mental ill-health. Results: Median SDQ score at baseline was 9 (interquartile range [IQR] 6e14). Median social media use was 1.7 hours at baseline (interquartile range .6e3.0) and increased over the 3-year period. Adolescents with more social media use also reported higher SDQ scores, B (95% confidence interval [CI]) ¼ 2.40 (2.03e2.77). On a within-person level, no cross-lagged associations were found between changes in social media use and subsequent changes in symptoms of mental ill-health after 1 year, B (95% CI) ¼ .02 (À.12 to .16) or vice versa B (95% CI) ¼ .00 (À.02 to .02). Weak cross-sectional associations were found between changes in social media use and concurrent changes in symptoms of mental ill-health, B (95% CI) ¼ .24 (.00e.48). Conclusions: Adolescents with higher use of social media report more symptoms of mental health problems, but there is no evidence for a longitudinal association between increased use and mental health problems. This suggests that social media may be rather an indicator than a risk factor for symptoms of mental ill-health.

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“…Previous research has found similar results with family functioning, suggesting children's externalising di culties are more strongly associated with poorer family functioning than internalising di culties (73). However, a longitudinal study by Mastrotheodoros et al (74) indicated that adolescents (aged 15) with higher levels of externalising di culties tended to be those who later experienced worse family functioning, but not vice versa, suggesting that higher externalising di culties in children cause poorer family functioning. Thus, it may be that the relationship between externalising di culties and family connection found in the present study was a result of pre-existing di culties (or the absence thereof).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Ordinary magic in extraordinary circumstances: Predictors of positive mental health outcomes for early adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ashworth

Putwain

McLoughlin

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions have had a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many people worldwide, but there is evidence to suggest this has been a particularly challenging for adolescents. However, there is a paucity of research examining the factors that have promoted good mental health during this time. The aim of the current study was to identify the protective factors among early adolescents in the UK that promoted better mental health outcomes (internalising and externalising difficulties, and wellbeing) during the first national COVID-19 lockdown. Between September and December 2020, 290 11–14 year olds across the North West of England were recruited to complete an online survey, consisting of several measures pertaining to their experiences of lockdown, and their mental health and wellbeing. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyse the data. Results indicated that higher participant-rated lockdown experience (the extent to which it was fun, easy, and good) and higher levels of optimism were protective factors for all three outcomes of interest. Greater adherence to Government guidance was also a protective factor for internalising difficulties and general wellbeing. Stronger family connection was a protective factor for externalising difficulties only, while stronger peer connection was a protective factor for general wellbeing only. In summary, the ‘ordinary magic’ of supportive relationships and positive experiences appear to be some of the key factors needed to ensure adolescents maintain good mental health and wellbeing, and to help them overcome the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Family Functioning and Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Problems: Disentangling between-, and Within-Family Associations

Cited by 57 publications

References 45 publications

Positive Youth Development in Croatia: School and Family Factors Associated With Mental Health of Croatian Adolescents

Positive Youth Development in Croatia: School and Family Factors Associated With Mental Health of Croatian Adolescents

Social Media and Mental Health Among Early Adolescents in Sweden: A Longitudinal Study With 2-Year Follow-Up (KUPOL Study)

Ordinary magic in extraordinary circumstances: Predictors of positive mental health outcomes for early adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

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