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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 24720

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Dr. Diana Arabiat

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School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
Interests: self-management of illness; psychometric properties; child development; Family Centred Care (FCC); child and adolescents mental health
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

IJERPH is organizing a Special Issue dedicated to the investigation of topics and approaches that support childhood wellbeing.

During the last two decades, behavioral and emotional problems among children and adolescents have emerged as a major cause of concern in industrialized nations. These problems are associated with an increased risk of mental illness, impaired social relationships, substance abuse, and poor educational attainment in children and adolescents. Internationally, there has been considerable work in relation to developing a set of definitions and indicators which can be used to monitor wellbeing, yet definitions and measures of wellbeing in child and adolescent populations are less well researched.

There is some emerging consensus that measures of wellbeing are multidimensional and should include a set of indicators related to physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Poor wellbeing indicators are a concern for all countries and cultures, and we have seen little success in closing these gaps. As such, the promotion of the emotional, social, and mental wellbeing of children and adolescents is a global priority. Its importance has been emphasized in several initiatives across Australia, the UK, and many other countries in Europe. The relative importance of supportive relationships that are typically formed in children’s environments, including home, school, and hospital settings, is debatable, although they are undoubtedly one of the key protective factors against poor mental health in children. Formative research is needed to understand and underline evidence-based approaches to achieve better wellbeing in children.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Defining and analyzing the concept of wellbeing from existing literature (systematic reviews, concept analysis, and meta-analysis reviews).
Understanding children’s and adolescents’ views on wellbeing and related indicators (depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, physical health, etc.).
Parents’ and carers’ perspectives on children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing.
Development or evaluation of interventions that are culturally tailored for improving the wellbeing of children and adolescents.
Evaluation of research methods or tools that measure wellbeing in children and adolescents.
Research on the impact of certain health conditions on children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing.
Research on approaches and measures of childhood wellbeing.
Research related to developing policy frameworks and the discussion of issues, challenges, and domains of wellbeing.
Implications of supportive home and school environments on childhood wellbeing.
Sub-sample analyses of school or other health interventions that focus on acceptability, efficacy, or related mental and social outcomes.

Dr. Diana Arabiat
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

mental health
social health
physical health
wellbeing indicators
coping
children and adolescents

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 10038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Promoting Youth Mental Wellbeing: A Photovoice Project with Adolescents and Young Adults in the Hospital Context

by Federica Graziano, Federica Toppino, Lisa Vennettillo, Giovanni Abbate Daga, Deborah Concas, Giulia Mazzone, Paola Quarello, Guido Teghille, Giulia Zucchetti and Chiara Davico

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040648 - 20 Apr 2025

Viewed by 326

Abstract

Given the importance of youth mental health for public policy, it is crucial to involve young people directly in participatory research to investigate their views and translate their demands into concrete actions. The aim of the study was to define the concept of mental wellbeing as perceived by a group of adolescent and young adult patients in two large hospitals in northwestern Italy and to find out, together with them, what institutions can do to promote youth wellbeing. Thirty-nine participants (13–25 years old, 90% female), divided into four groups, took part in a Photovoice workshop. Individual interviews were conducted with 21 participants and the transcripts were thematically analyzed. The photos were categorized into five themes: nature, traveling, passions and leisure, relationships, and animals. The definition of mental wellbeing can be traced back to eight themes: sharing experiences and emotions with others, calm and tranquility, personal fulfilment, sense of belonging, pleasant physical sensations, freedom and discovery, involvement and commitment, and happiness. The key recommendations for promoting mental wellbeing were providing information about mental health, tackling the stigma of mental illness, and providing psychological support in school and health services. The implications of these findings for policy makers involved in planning health services for young people are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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13 pages, 540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Emotionality Stigma in Adolescent Mental Health: Measure Development and Call for Systems-Level Change

by Hayley D. Seely and Eileen Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(11), 1523; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111523 - 16 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1244

Abstract

Youth mental health concerns, including substance abuse, continue to rise. With high co-morbidity rates and a marked lack of representation from diverse groups in study conceptualization, measurement, and implementation, efforts to understand factors impacting youth mental health from a cultural lens are needed. The theory of emotionality stigma posits that many mental health concerns can be understood based on one’s endorsement of emotionality stigma—the experience of stigma around emotions—which manifests within one’s context. Informed by this theory, the current study aimed to adapt and test a measure of emotionality stigma for diverse youth in combined mental health and substance use treatment. Targeted youth focus groups informed the adaptation of the pre-existing Emotionality Stigma Scale for implementation with diverse youth. Using a mixed methods approach, this measure was then tested for relevance, reliability, and validity in an outpatient youth clinic. Patients (N = 58, aged 13 to 21) reported their emotionality stigma, values, and attachment as part of routine monitoring. Based on qualitative feedback and quantitative analysis, our results illustrate the reliability and validity of the adapted Emotionality Stigma Scale and the relevance of this new measure for assessing youth mental health concerns and treatment outcomes. Areas for continued research are identified, and recommendations for implementation in conceptualization and treatment are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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15 pages, 947 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Socio-Emotional Difficulty as a Childhood Barrier to the Expected Benefits of Active Play: Associated Risks for School Engagement in Adolescence

by Laurie-Anne Kosak, Kianoush Harandian, Simon L. Bacon, Isabelle Archambault, Luca Correale and Linda S. Pagani

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(10), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21101353 - 13 Oct 2024

Viewed by 2165

Abstract

Active play allows children to develop social and cognitive skills, which could lead to higher school engagement. Little is known about the role of child socioemotional difficulty in these associations. This study aims to examine the interaction between active play and socioemotional difficulty in childhood and their prospective association with academic engagement in adolescence. The participants were 4537 children (51.1% boys) who were longitudinally followed, between ages 6 and 14 years, from the National Longitudinal Study on Children and Youth (NLSCY), Canada. Active play (weekly organized sport and unstructured physical activity outside of school hours) and child behavior (hyperactivity, anxiety, and relational difficulties) were reported by mothers for their children at age 6 years. Academic engagement was self-reported at age 14 years. Unstructured physical activity predicted lower subsequent school engagement for boys (β = −0.057, p < 0.05). Boys with high anxiety symptoms and high relational aggression who participated in more unstructured physical activity in childhood were subsequently less engaged in school (respectively, β = −0.066, p < 0.05 and β = −0.062, p < 0.05). Girls who partook in more organized sports showed lower school engagement in adolescence when they had high anxiety symptoms (β = −0.067, p < 0.05). Although past studies have highlighted the contribution of active play to school engagement, certain socioemotional difficulties could impede the child’s ability to reap its benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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12 pages, 1142 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Well-Being and Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning

by Maria Luisa Pedditzi and Laura Francesca Scalas

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081037 - 7 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2654

Abstract

This study explores psychological well-being in adolescence through a multidimensional perspective using the Adolescent Students’ Basic Psychological Needs at School Scale, derived from the Self-Determination Theory. The ASBPNSS focuses on three basic psychological needs (Competence, Autonomy, and Relatedness) in adolescence and has not yet been used within the school context in Italy. This study’s main objectives are: (1) to validate a preliminary Italian version of the ASBPNSS; (2) to analyze the association between well-being at school and self-efficacy for self-regulated learning; and (3) to verify whether there are differences by gender. A sample of 395 students (mean age = 17.5; SD = 0.75) completed the ASBPNSS and the Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning Scale. The factorial structure, composite reliability, and gender invariance of the ASBPNSS were examined. Associations between well-being at school and self-efficacy were tested with structural equation models (CFI = 0.935, TLI = 0.925; RMSEA = 0.054). Measures of well-being were associated with school self-efficacy for self-regulated learning, which predicted Competence (beta = 0.639), Relatedness (beta = 0.350), and Autonomy (beta = 0.309). These relationships were invariant over gender, although girls reported lower latent means in the Relatedness factor. This study highlights the importance of promoting school self-efficacy and well-being in adolescence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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18 pages, 2137 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parental Mental Health, Gender, and Lifestyle Effects on Post-Pandemic Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Problems: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Northern Italy

by Verena Barbieri, Giuliano Piccoliori, Adolf Engl and Christian J. Wiedermann

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070933 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2444

Abstract

Background: The exacerbation of psychosocial problems among children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitates an assessment of the long-term mental health impact of pandemic interventions. Focusing on both pandemic-related factors and demographic variables, such as gender and daily habits, an analysis was conducted to understand how these elements continue to affect young populations in the post-pandemic era. Methods: In April 2023, a comprehensive online survey was administered to families in South Tyrol, Italy, with children aged 7–19 years, to ensure age and gender representation. The survey included parent ratings and adolescent (11–19 years) self-reports using standardized instruments to measure the symptoms of mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ), anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, SCARED), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, PHQ-2). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results: Of the 4525 valid responses, 1831 were self-reported by adolescents. Notable gender differences in mental health outcomes were identified, along with significant demographic predictors, such as age, single parenthood, parental mental health problems, and immigrant background. Negative effects were associated with reduced family climate and increased screen time, whereas physical activity showed beneficial effects. Proxy reports overestimated adolescents’ mental health problems, whereas self-reports tended to underestimate them. Conclusions: Persistent mental health problems and gender disparities highlight the need for a public health approach. This should include accessible support services, resilience building, targeted support for vulnerable families and gender-specific interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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26 pages, 1861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Four-Wave Cross-Lagged Study of Exposure to Violent Contexts, Cognitive Distortions, and School Bullying during Adolescence

by Mirella Dragone, Dario Bacchini, Concetta Esposito, Gaetana Affuso, Grazia De Angelis, Fabrizio Stasolla and Raffaele De Luca Picione

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070883 - 7 Jul 2024

Viewed by 4780

Abstract

School bullying represents a widespread expression of violence in the peer context. Guided by the social-ecological model, this study investigated the longitudinal and transactional pathways linking domestic and neighborhood/community violence exposure (through direct victimization and witnessing), self-serving cognitive distortions (CDs), and school bullying perpetration. Furthermore, consistent with the previous literature, we tested the cognitive desensitization process that could develop in response to chronically violent contexts. Two four-wave cross-lagged panel mediation models were tested in a sample of 778 high school students (28.1% males; M_age [Time 1; T1] = 14.20, SD = 0.58). The results showed differential effects of multiple contexts and forms of violence exposure, with domestic violence victimization and community violence witnessing being associated with self-serving CDs and bullying perpetration over time. Moreover, significant associations between CDs and bullying perpetration over time were found, with bidirectional effects for each of these longitudinal patterns. Finally, self-serving CDs significantly mediated the relationships between both domestic violence victimization and community violence witnessing and school bullying perpetration. These findings highlight the need to consider school bullying as a social phenomenon stemming from a complex and bidirectional interplay between individuals and the environments they inhabit, confirming a basic postulate that “violence breeds violence”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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17 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stress, Mental Health, and Risk-Taking: Associations among a Sample of Agricultural Adolescents

by Josie M. Rudolphi and Richard L. Berg

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070830 - 26 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2345

Abstract

Farm stress and mental health research has largely focused on adult producers, even though youths live and work on farms. The purpose of this study is to describe the stress and mental health experience of agricultural youths and describe participation in risk-taking behaviors. Farm families in the U.S. were invited to participate in an online survey that inquired about farm economics, stress (ASQ-S), mental health (PHQ-A and SCARED), parenting, social support, and risk-taking behaviors during the summers in 2021 and 2022. This analysis is limited to adolescent respondents (N = 298). Just over 70% of the farm adolescent sample met the criteria for at least mild symptoms of depression (PHQ-A score ≥ 5). Among anxiety disorders, 62.8% of the farm adolescent sample met the criteria for probable panic disorder, and 70.5% met the criteria for probable separation anxiety disorder. Adolescents reported the most stress around future uncertainty and school performance. The stress scores were significantly associated with more symptoms of depression. Over a quarter (27.7%) of the participants reported carrying a weapon at least 1 day in the past month, and 22.5% reported carrying a weapon on school property at least 1 day in the past month. Violence-related risk-taking behaviors were also associated with increased symptoms of depression. The results underscore the need for community- and school-based stress and mental health interventions in rural and agricultural communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

Review

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17 pages, 834 KiB

Open AccessReview

Health Associations of Positive Childhood Experiences: A Scoping Review of the Literature

by Joachim Hero, Laura Gallant, Dina Burstein, Sydne Newberry, Nabeel Qureshi, Katie Feistel, Kayla N. Anderson, Kelsey Hannan and Robert Sege

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010059 - 3 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1318

Abstract

We report the results of a scoping review of the literature investigating associations between positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and selected health outcomes to identify which have the highest level of research activity based on the indexed academic literature. Yielded articles underwent title/abstract (Ti/Ab) and full text screening utilizing inclusion/exclusion criteria. The review was guided by PCE categories from the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences framework: relationships, environment, engagement, and emotional growth. The initial search yielded 8,919 unduplicated articles, 759 were retained following Ti/Ab review and 220 articles were retained after full text screening describing 795 tested associations across 23 PCE types in ten outcome categories. The outcomes most commonly examined were substance misuse (305 tested associations across 93 studies), suicidal behaviors (195 tested associations across 56 studies), and depression (112 tested associations across 55 studies). Physical health outcomes were less common (14 tested associations across six studies). Of the PCE exposures, relationships represented 415 of tested associations, 236 with environment, and 114 with social engagement. A significant body of research demonstrated associations between PCEs and health outcomes. While further research is needed, available research suggests that public health efforts to promote PCEs may have impact across multiple domains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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19 pages, 822 KiB

Open AccessReview

Understanding the Wellbeing Needs of First Nations Children in Out-of-Home Care in Australia: A Comprehensive Literature Review

by Darren Garvey, Ken Carter, Kate Anderson, Alana Gall, Kirsten Howard, Jemma Venables, Karen Healy, Lea Bill, Angeline Letendre, Michelle Dickson and Gail Garvey

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(9), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091208 - 13 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3706

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the increasing overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as First Nations) children living in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia, little is known about their wellbeing needs. This comprehensive literature review aimed to identify these needs and the features of care required to meet them. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Informit, PsycINFO, and Embase databases and relevant grey literature were searched from inception to December 2023 for articles presenting qualitative accounts and perspectives relevant to the wellbeing needs of First Nations children in OOHC. These included reports from First Nations children in OOHC; First Nations adults with lived experience of OOHC; carers, caseworkers, and organizational stakeholders; and First Nations community members with relevant lived and/or professional experience. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis method for data analysis. Results: Thirty-five articles (19 peer-reviewed, 16 grey literature) met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed six wellbeing needs of First Nations children in OOHC: Being seen, being heard; a sense of stability; holistic health support; social and cultural connections; culturally safe OOHC providers; and preparedness for transitioning out of care. A range of features of OOHC were also identified as critical for supporting these needs. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that First Nations children in OOHC have unique wellbeing needs in addition to safety, security, and health. Attention to the development and maintenance of social and cultural connections is an important concern that must be addressed by OOHC providers (caseworkers and organizations) and carers and supported by OOHC policy and the associated systems in Australia as part of providing culturally safe and supportive care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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Other

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21 pages, 866 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Impact of Process Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care on Socio-Emotional Development: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

by Rosanne M. V. Sluiter, Ruben G. Fukkink and Minne Fekkes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050775 - 14 May 2025

Viewed by 205

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between process quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC) and children’s socio-emotional development in a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Our multi-level meta-analysis of 31 publications reporting on 16 longitudinal studies (N = 17,913 children, age: 2.5–18 yrs) demonstrates that the process quality of ECEC is a small but significant predictor of children’s socio-emotional development over time (ES = 0.103, SE = 0.026, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.052–0.155). This longitudinal association extends to the age of 18 years in our sample. Process quality of ECEC is, thus, a significant and stable predictor of children’s socio-emotional development and well-being from toddlerhood to adolescence. The longitudinal relationship was moderated by the type of care (center-based vs. home-based) and the informant (parent, professional caregiver, external assessor, or self-report of the child). Implications for future ECEC research are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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15 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Does Intrauterine Exposure to Diabetes Impact Mental and Motor Skills? A Meta-Analysis of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development

by Diana Arabiat, Mohammad AL Jabery and Lisa Whitehead

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020191 - 7 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2243

Abstract

Background: Attempts to conduct meta-analyses of the association between child development and diabetes have been limited by the wide range of tools and definitions of developmental outcomes used in the literature. We aim to meta-analyze a widely used measure of child development, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, with respect to exposure to diabetes and developmental scores. Methods: PsycINFO, MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Emcare, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted, and quality-appraised the studies using JBI SUMARI software. Forest plots were created with the standardized mean difference using the random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using I². Results: Seven studies were identified. The pooled results on psychomotor and mental development index mean scores were lower for infants born to mothers with diabetes than for the control group (Cohen’s d = −4.49, df = 7, I² = 0%, p = 0.001 and Cohen’s d = −3.4, df = 9, I² = 27%, p = 0.001, respectively). Effects were larger in infants born to mothers with type 1 and 2 diabetes and at age 12 months. Conclusions: Maternal diabetes should be considered as a risk factor for children’s development, mainly when born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents)

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