Resilience and mental health among juveniles: role of strategies for coping with stress

Abstract

Background Mental health is an important aspect of the process of individual adaptation and development. The present study analysed the role played by resilience in mental health while taking into account both positive and negative indicators among juveniles. The aim of the first study (Study 1) is to analyse the relationship between resilience and the broadly understood mental health of juveniles admitted to youth education centres. Study 2 aimed to understand the direct and indirect role of resilience in shaping the mental health of juveniles. In the model we tested, we looked at the relationship among resilience, coping strategies, and mental well-being. Methods The first study involved 201 juveniles, and the second involved 253 juveniles. Resilience was measured by the Resilience Scale-14. Coping strategies were measured with the Brief-COPE Questionnaire, and information on mental health was obtained using the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Results The results of both studies have shown that resilience is an important predictor of the mental health of juveniles, primarily with respect to its positive indicator. The stronger the severity of resilience, the greater the satisfaction with life and mental well-being of the juveniles surveyed. In addition, two coping strategies (seeking support from others and coping through emotions) mediated the relationship between resilience and mental well-being. Conclusions The results obtained indicate that work at the level of juvenile resilience leads to the strengthening of positive mental health indicators and buffering of negative indicators.

The Role of Coping Strategies in the Resilience and Well-Being of College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, the relationship was not moderated by the coping strategy employed. The finding of a positive correlation between resilience and well-being is consistent with relevant studies which reported resilience as contributing to one's positive wellbeing (Malkoc & Yalcin, 2015;Souri & Hasanirad, 2011;Chow et al, 2018;Yildirim & Arslan, 2020;Konaszewski et al, 2021;Chen, 2016).…”

“…However, this present study showed that both approach and avoidant coping strategies did not moderate the relationships between resilience and well-being. While previous literature showed the moderating role of some coping strategies on the relationship between resilience, stress, burnout, and well-being or quality of life (Dardas & Ahmad, 2015;Connor-Smith & Compas, 2002;Malkoc & Yalcin, 2015;Konaszewski et al, 2021), there were also some studies that support the result of this study. For example, Kirsch (2014) found that neither adaptive nor maladaptive coping styles moderated the significant predictive relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes when adjusting for disordered eating attitudes and BMI.…”

Resilience and mental health in children and adolescents: an update of the recent literature and future directions

“…Nine cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal study examined resilience and psychopathology in the context of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and negative life events [ 18 ▪ , 19 , 20 ▪ , 21 ▪ , 22 ▪ , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ▪ , 27 ]. Overall, these studies show that higher levels of resilience are associated with mental health.…”

“…Last, one study investigated the relationship of resilience with coping strategies in the context of negative life evens. In 253 juveniles sent to educational centers by a family court [ 27 ], resilience significantly predicted coping strategies, in particular active coping and seeking support from others. In addition, the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing was mediated by seeking support from others and coping through discharging negative emotions.…”

The Importance of Mental Health Measurement to Improve Global Adolescent Health

“…Strengthening adolescents' internal and external resources and protecting them from risk factors and adverse experiences positively impact their potential to thrive and their mental health and well-being during adulthood. Previous studies have shown that timely interventions to strengthen adolescents' family and social resources and to decrease risk factor levels could prevent much of the disease burden in adulthood [3,4], and that strengthening resilience among young people leads to positive health outcomes [5].…”