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Exploring Adolescents’ Psychological Distress and Behavior Problems

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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 "Adolescents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 March 2023) | Viewed by 7340

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yifeng Wei

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
Interests: adolescent mental health; mental health literacy; knowledge translation; mental health; youth; mental disorders; adolescents; psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adolescent psychological distress (stress) is a normal response to upsetting or threatening events; however, it may become pathological when chronic and further lead to behavioural problems. Chronic stress can impede day-to-day function and emotional balance and it is a risk factor for developing other psychiatric diseases, such as anxiety and depression. Thus, it is essential to address this challenge during adolescent years (12–25 years of age), when most mental disorders set in and life-long health-promoting behaviours are often solidified.

This Special Issue aims to achieve a comprehensive understanding of adolescent psychological distress (stress) from various lenses and to inform researchers and practitioners of the best evidence available on how to support young people in managing psychological distress and reduce behavioural problems, thus, helping them transition to early adulthood smoothly and seamlessly.

We welcome papers of any kind, including original research, reviews (e.g., scoping reviews or systematic reviews or meta-analysis), papers addressing theories and concepts in the field, and related commentaries.

Dr. Yifeng Wei
Guest Editor

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Keywords

adolescents
psychological distress
stress
behavioural problems
risk factors
health promotion
interventions

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Meaning in Life and Depression among Chinese Junior High School Students: The Mediating and Moderating Effects of Cognitive Failures and Mindfulness

by Ying Li, Yihan Jin, Huiyan Kong, Chao Feng, Lei Cao, Tiantian Li and Yue Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043041 - 09 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1839

Abstract

In recent years, the incidence of depression among adolescents has been increasing yearly, and the severe damage of depression on adolescents’ physical and mental health development has caused extensive concern worldwide. Previous research on adults has confirmed that meaning in life is a crucial buffer factor for depression, and developing meaning in life is an essential task in adolescence. Moreover, prior researchers also pointed out that frequent cognitive failures can induce negative emotions in individuals, whereas mindfulness can regulate individuals’ depression levels. However, few studies have investigated the impact of meaning in life on depression in adolescents and the underlying psychological mechanisms. Accordingly, based on the theoretical framework of the Cognitive Vulnerability–Stress Theory of Depression, this study aimed to explore the relationship between meaning in life and depression in junior high school students, as well as the mediating effect of cognitive failures and the moderating effect of mindfulness. We collected data from 948 adolescents aged 11 to 17 in two junior high schools in Henan Province, China, and tested the theoretical model through the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The results showed that: (1) meaning in life had a significant negative predictive effect on depression (β = −0.24, p < 0.001); (2) cognitive failures partially mediated the relationship between meaning in life and depression (β = 0.31, p < 0.001); (3) the relationship between cognitive failures and depression was moderated by mindfulness (β = −0.05, p < 0.05). This study implied that we could start by cultivating adolescents’ meaning in life and improving their level of mindfulness to prevent and intervene in adolescent depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Adolescents’ Psychological Distress and Behavior Problems)

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15 pages, 2599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing Personas of Gamers with Problematic Gaming Behavior among College Students Based on Qualitative Data of Gaming Motives and Push–Pull–Mooring

by Shan-Mei Chang and Sunny S. J. Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010798 - 01 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1751

Abstract

Gaming is a popular but possibly problematic activity among college students. To distinguish gamers with potential problematic gaming behaviors (PGB) is crucial to mental health staff. Two studies were conducted that aimed to explore portraits of gamers with PGB in college campuses. The first study selected 20 college students, diagnosed with problematic gaming behaviors, from a longitudinal dataset and semi-structured interviews were conducted for a systematic description of long-term PGB. The second study selected four personas with the richest coding data of internet addiction and depression from 20 gamers. The profiles and life experiences of the personas showed changing processes of gaming motives and push–pull–mooring effects across the years. “Loss of purpose in life” and “desperate to escape from stress or boredom in the real world” were the important push effects. Mooring effects revealed their addiction or depression symptoms and the process of developing the addiction. The dynamics of “push”, “pull”, and “mooring” effects were clearly indicated in the results suggesting PGB might be a long-term coping strategy and a consequence of depression and loneliness. Dealing with depression and finding real-life goals could help PGB gamers to change the dynamics of their gaming motives and push–pull–mooring effects. The results may help develop interventions for gamers with problematic gaming behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Adolescents’ Psychological Distress and Behavior Problems)

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14 pages, 354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender Differences in Excessive Screen Time among Chinese High School Students in Henan Province

by Zhenti Cui, Ping Zou, Zihan Lin, Yingdong Cao and Yan Luo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010721 - 30 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1698

Abstract

In a technology-driven society, adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of excessive screen time, and gender disparities are notable. However, evidence on the gender difference in excessive screen time among Chinese high school students is scarce. This study examined gender differences in excessive screen time and its impact on mental health and urinary incontinence among 15,055 high school-aged adolescents, including 7514 (49.9%) males and 7541 (50.1%) females with the mean age of 16.72 (SD 0.88) in Henan Province, China. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling design was applied. Mental Health Inventory of Middle School Students and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short Form was used to collect data about mental health and urinary incontinence status. The percentage of students reporting excessive screen time was 9.4%, predominantly male (15.3% versus 3.5%; p < 0.001). Physical disease, living on campus, and cigarette or alcohol consumption were common factors associated with excessive screen time in both genders. Students in their second or third year showed significantly lower rates of excessive screen time than their peers. In males, younger age, active sexual behavior, chronic constipation, and having a mother with a Ph.D. degree were factors associated with a higher probability of reporting excessive screen time, while females living in a rural–urban continuum or whose mothers have a junior college degree were associated with higher odds of reporting excessive screen times. Excessive screen time was significantly positively correlated with mental health problems and urinary incontinence (p < 0.05). Results suggests the need to address excessive screen time and to focus separately on the mechanisms influencing excessive screen time in males and females. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Adolescents’ Psychological Distress and Behavior Problems)

15 pages, 1440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring an Applied Ecological Model of the Effects of Household, School, and Community Environments on Adolescent Mental Health in Japan

by Nagisa Mori, Azusa Arimoto and Etsuko Tadaka

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16820; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416820 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Adolescent mental health is an urgent global public health issue and is affected by household, school, and community environments. However, few studies, and none in Japan, have used applied ecological models to identify environmental factors that affect adolescent mental health. This study aimed to examine an applied ecological model of sequential association between household, school, and community environmental factors and their effects on adolescent mental health in Japan (ECO-AM model). This was a secondary analysis of data from the 2013 Japanese Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions. Participants were 893 adolescents aged 12–14 years and their household heads living in Japan. Data for 728 adolescents were analyzed after excluding participants with missing values (valid response rate: 81.5%). Screening using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale demonstrated that 33.8% of adolescents had mood and anxiety disorders. Covariance structure analysis yielded a model with strong goodness-of-fit that described associations between mood and anxiety disorder and vitality, and household, school and community environments. The explanatory variables accounted for 36% of mood and anxiety disorder scores. The study emphasizes the importance of the relationship between different environments and suggests that a better understanding of environmental factors would help support adolescent mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Adolescents’ Psychological Distress and Behavior Problems)

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