A1 Journal article (refereed)
Adolescents' stress and depressive symptoms and their associations with psychological flexibility before educational transition (2023)
Puolakanaho, A., Muotka, J. S., Lappalainen, R., Lappalainen, P., Hirvonen, R., & Kiuru, N. (2023). Adolescents' stress and depressive symptoms and their associations with psychological flexibility before educational transition. Journal of Adolescence, 95(5), 990-1004. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12169
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Puolakanaho, Anne; Muotka, Joona S.; Lappalainen, Raimo; Lappalainen, Päivi; Hirvonen, Riikka; Kiuru, Noona
Journal or series: Journal of Adolescence
ISSN: 0140-1971
eISSN: 1095-9254
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 24/03/2023
Volume: 95
Issue number: 5
Pages range: 990-1004
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12169
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86418
Abstract
Relatively little is known about individual differences in adolescent psychological flexibility and its associations with symptoms of stress and depression. This study examined different profiles of adolescent stress and depressive symptoms and their associations with developing psychological flexibility before the critical educational transition.
Methods:
The data were derived from a general sample of 740 Finnish ninth-grade adolescents (Mage = 15.7 years, 57% female) who were assessed twice during the final grade of their basic education. The data were analyzed using growth mixture modeling.
Results:
Four profiles of stress and depressive symptoms were identified during a school year: 1) no stress and no depressive symptoms (None; 69%); 2) mild and decreasing stress and depressive symptoms (Decreasing; 15%); 3) low but increasing stress and depressive symptoms (Increasing; 6%); and 4) high and stable levels of stress and depressive symptoms (High; 10%). The adolescents in these profiles differed from each other in their initial levels and changes of psychological flexibility. The initial level of psychological flexibility was highest in the no-symptom profile group. We observed simultaneous change trends in symptoms and psychological flexibility during a school year. When symptoms decreased, psychological flexibility increased, and when symptoms increased, psychological flexibility decreased.
Conclusions:
A bidirectional pattern of relationships between psychological flexibility and psychological symptoms was found. Despite initially high level of skills in psychological flexibility, some adolescents, unexpectedly, experienced increased symptoms of stress and depression during the school year. The results call for further studies to explore in-depth the developmental diversity in adolescents’ well-being and its antecedents.
Keywords: young people; stress (biological phenomena); depression (mental disorders); mental disorders; mental health; exhaustion; stress management
Free keywords: adolescents; stress; depressive symptoms; development of psychological flexibility; profiles
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 1
