The configuration protective model: Factors associated with adolescent behavioral and emotional problems

Abstract

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oThe current study examined the association between quantity, variety, and configuration of developmental assets with risk behaviors (tobacco and alcohol use) and developing emotional problems (depressive feelings and suicidal thoughts). A sample of 12,040 high school students completed surveys investigating youth health and risk behaviors, and developmental assets. Independent one-step logistic regression analyses showed that adolescents reporting a higher quantity of assets, and possessing them in multiple domains, tended to have a lower likelihood of experiencing behavioral and emotional problems. The negative association between developmental assets and negative outcomes was more consistent when quantity and variety were taken into account simultaneously, thus supporting the configuration protective model. A sufficient amount of strengths, in an adequate number of different domains, seems to provide the strongest protection against negative developmental outcomes. The research and clinical implications of findings are discussed.

Enhancement and Standardization of a Universal Social-Emotional Health Measure for Students’ Psychological Strengths

“…covitalityucsb.info). Given the research findings that the combination of these traits suggests positive outcomes rather than each trait in isolation (Lenzi et al 2015), schools do not need to target a particular subset of strategies. Instead, it is most optimal for educators to use strategies that help build strengths across all areas.…”

School climate, victimization, and mental health outcomes among elementary school students in China

“…Covitality relates to less victimization among elementary school students in China (Wang, Yang, Jiang, & Furlong, 2018) and with adolescents in the US (Fullchange & Furlong, 2016). Researchers also noted that covitality, or the number of psychological assets an individual holds, was correlated with less depressive symptoms and substance use (Lenzi, Dougherty, Furlong, Sharkey, & Dowdy, 2015). However, none of the above-mentioned studies on covitality and victimization utilized a longitudinal design, making it hard to ascertain the directionality of these relationships.…”

Social and Emotional Psychological Factors Associated With Subjective Well-Being: A Comparison of Turkish and California Adolescents

“…One cannot just tell an adolescent with low SWB to increase it. High satisfaction with life emerges from objective (e.g., physical resources and public policies) and subjective (e.g., success in school, forming a friendship) experiences that are associated with positive self-schemas like optimism, gratitude, and empathy (Lenzi, Dougherty, Furlong, Dowdy, & Sharkey, 2015). A better understanding of the associations between adolescents' positive self-schemas and SWB might offer avenues through which to help an adolescent to conclude (accurately, of course) that their life is generally going well.…”

“…To address this research objective, we draw upon a positive social emotional health model composed of core psychological self-schemas hypothesized to be associated with adolescents’ complete mental health and positive psychological development (Furlong, You, Renshaw, Smith, & O’Malley, 2014; Furlong, Dowdy, Carnazzo, Bovery, & Kim, 2014; Lenzi et al, 2015). The components of this model are measured using the Social and Emotional Health Survey–Secondary (SEHS-S), which was designed to measures the four core psychological self-schemas (Furlong, You, Renshaw, Smith, & O’Malley, 2014, see the Measures section of this article for more information about the SEHS-S).…”