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 editorsPuolakanaho, Anne; Muotka, Joona S.; Lappalainen, Raimo; Lappalainen, Päivi; Hirvonen, Riikka; Kiuru, Noona

Journal or seriesJournal of Adolescence

ISSN0140-1971

eISSN1095-9254

Publication year2023

Publication date24/03/2023

Volume95

Issue number5

Pages range990-1004

PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12169

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86418


Abstract

Introduction:
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.


Keywordsyoung peoplestress (biological phenomena)depression (mental disorders)mental disordersmental healthexhaustionstress management

Free keywordsadolescents; stress; depressive symptoms; development of psychological flexibility; profiles


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2023

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-03-07 at 20:05