Psychological Functioning In Adolescents Research Articles

Do parental traumatic experiences have a role in the psychological functioning of early adolescents with binge eating disorder?

Few studies have addressed the psychological characteristics of adolescents with binge eating disorder (BED). No research has focused on the psychological functioning of these adolescents' parents or on the prevalence of traumatic experiences among them. In this study, 202 adolescents aged 11-13 and their parents were recruited from mental health clinics to complete the youth self-report(YSR), the response evaluation measure for youth (REM-71), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Symptom Check-List (SCL-90-R), and the traumatic experience checklist(TEC). Female adolescents scored higher than males on withdrawal, internalizing problems, dissociation, and somatization subscales. Boys scored higher than girls on externalizing problems and acting out subscales. Maternal depression predicted withdrawal and dissociation in female adolescents. Maternal sexual abuse predicted social problems in males and self-destructive behaviors in females. Paternal physical abuse predicted delinquent behavior and acting out in males. Our data suggest that parental traumatic experiences play a role in their offspring's mental health; the data also showed different psychopathological configurations in male and female adolescents with BED and their parents, suggesting the development of prevention and treatment polices specific to gender.

Parental and peer support in adolescents with a chronic condition: a typological approach and developmental implications.

Research has consistently demonstrated that contextual support is crucial towards the psychological functioning of adolescents with chronic conditions. However, the literature has predominantly focused on parental support instead of adopting an integrated approach to parental and peer support. The present manuscript with two longitudinal studies in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and congenital heart disease examined the extent to which different clusters of maternal, paternal, and peer support at baseline were related to well- and ill-being over time. In both studies, four clusters emerged: combined support, parental support, peer support, and lack of support. Follow-up longitudinal analyses indicated that especially combined support from parents and peers proved to be of crucial importance towards psychological functioning. The present studies demonstrated the value of a typological approach for assessing social support in adolescents with chronic conditions. In addition to focusing on parental support, future research should assess peer support as well in these adolescents.

Contribution of personal and environmental factors on positive psychological functioning in adolescents

This study examined self-esteem as mediator in the relations of personal (extraversion, neuroticism) and environmental (maternal, paternal, peer-relationships) variables with domains of positive psychological functioning (PPF) in adolescence (Satisfaction with life, Mastery, Vigor, Social Interest, Social Cheerfulness).We compared one-sided and multidimensional models using a sample of 1193 high school students (592 males and 601 females). We examined variations in adolescent PPF as a function of parenting styles via independent examination of maternal and paternal bonding. Results supported the multidimensional models, which indicated direct effects of personality traits, maternal care and peer relationships, as well as indirect effects, mediated by self-esteem, of all predictors on most PPF dimensions.Overall, our study provided a broader picture of personal and environmental predictors on different dimensions of PPF, which supported the mediating role of self-esteem and emphasized the importance of considering multidimensional models to characterize PPF in adolescents.

Personality styles and defense mechanisms in a community sample of adolescents: an exploratory study.

This study aimed to test if the preference for using certain types of defense mechanisms, according to Ihilevich and Gleser's (1969, 1986) perspective, is associated with personality styles, proposed by Millon (1993), and also, aimed to test if both constructs give a contribution to the identification of global types of psychological functioning in adolescents. Eight hundred and thirty adolescents, ranging in age from 14 to 19 years (M = 16.64, SD = 1.9) participated in the study. The Portuguese versions of the Defense Mechanisms Inventory for Adolescents and the Millon Adolescents Clinical Inventory were administered. Multiple linear regression analysis and principal component analysis were computed. Results demonstrate an association between defense mechanisms and personality styles and both constructs contribute to the identification of two types of psychological functioning in adolescents: an internalizing type and an externalizing type.

Perceptions of Parenting Styles and Their Associations with Mental Health and Life Satisfaction Among Urban Indonesian Adolescents

The study aimed at investigating the association between maternal and paternal parenting styles and psychological well-being among Indonesian adolescents. The Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale, were administered to 500 adolescents. We were unable to replicate the three-factor solution of the PAQ using confirmatory factor analysis. The permissive subscale demonstrated poor psychometric properties; it was therefore not included in any further analysis. Mothers were perceived to be more authoritative than fathers; on the other hand, fathers were perceived to be more authoritarian than mothers. Both maternal and paternal authoritative parenting styles were positively associated with outcomes. Authoritarian parenting was not associated with any outcome. Scores computed to represent perceived differences between maternal and paternal use of various parenting styles were associated with reported GHQ-12 and life satisfaction scores. Our results confirm Western findings on the positive effects of authoritative parenting, but do not replicate the negative associations of authoritarian parenting. Future studies that examine different parenting styles at the construct level are needed to elucidate the association between parenting styles and adolescent psychological functioning in the Indonesian and other similar contexts.

Consequences of adolescent’s evening preference on school achievement: a review. [Consecuencias de la mayor vespertinidad durante la adolescencia para el funcionamiento psicológico: una revisión

This review provides an overview of the role of circadian preference in psychological functioning of adolescents taking into account their shift to eveningness during this stage of life. After a brief explanation about morningness/eveningness and other terms related, an overview of the changes that occur on three of the most important areas in the adolescent’s life is presented: school performance, personality styles, and health. Consequences of evening preference on school achievement are considered from the analysis of the relevance of sleep debt and time-of-day in cognition and mood aspects. In general, students who are able to choose activity times coinciding with their preferred times may have a greater opportunity to optimize their performance. The personality styles and health of morning and evening types are also important factors related to school and family adaptation. At last, some recommendations and conclusions in order to promote a healthy psychological functioning are described.

Introduction to the special section on religion and spirituality in family life: pathways between relational spirituality, family relationships and personal well-being.

This special section on faith and family life presents 5 studies that each offer novel insights into the complex web of linkages between a target family member's religious and/or spiritual (R/S) functioning and parental or family factors that may influence the target family member's psychological or R/S functioning. The outcome domain of interest is adolescent psychological functioning in the first three studies, parental stress in the fourth study, and the R/S functioning of adult children in the fifth study. In this introduction, we feature unique findings from each study. We then highlight 3 key conceptual issues that researchers need to recognize to continue to move forward rigorous research on specific roles that R/S can play in enhancing as well as undermining individual and family well-being.

Long-term follow-up of cystic fibrosis newborn screening: Psychosocial functioning of adolescents and young adults

Long-term psychosocial outcomes of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients diagnosed through newborn screening remain unknown. This cross-sectional study compared three groups of youths (16 to 22 years): CF patients diagnosed through NBS (CF-NBS, n = 13), CF patients diagnosed through standard practice (CF-SP, n = 26) and healthy peers (H, n = 42), plus 72 of their parents. We hypothesized that adolescent psychological functioning would be mediated by parent depression and quality of parent-child communication and cohesiveness. A path analysis showed significantly more depression among CF-NBS group parents (p = .006-.008). Parent-child cohesiveness was related to communication (p < .001). Cohesiveness and communication were associated with youth Internalizing Problems (p = .037, p = .009), Emotional Symptoms (p = 0.018, p = 0.022), and Personal Adjustment (communication only, p = 0.009). Parent depression was related to youth Personal Adjustment (p = 0.022). CF patients report psychosocial function similar to healthy peers. Parents of children diagnosed with CF through NBS may be at risk for depressive symptoms when their children reach adolescence.

Parental Validating and Invalidating Responses and Adolescent Psychological Functioning

The current study assessed the extent to which parental validating and invalidating behaviors (a) could be reliably measured in parent–adolescent relationships, (b) differed significantly between clinic and nonclinic families, and (c) were associated with measures of adolescent emotion dysregulation, behavior problems, and parent–adolescent relationship satisfaction. Adolescents ( N = 29; age range = 12–18; 62% female) and their parents completed a variety of self-report and parent-report measures of adolescent functioning. Ratings of parents’ validating and invalidating responses during video-recorded social support and problem-solving interactions were obtained. Results indicated that parental validating and invalidating behaviors (a) were measured with a high degree of reliability, (b) differed significantly between clinic and nonclinic families, and (c) were correlated, in expected directions, with adolescent emotion dysregulation, externalizing problem behaviors, and adolescent relationship satisfaction. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of both research and potentially improved family interventions.

Psychological Functioning in Adolescents with Obesity Co-Morbidities

An understanding of the relationships among obesity severity, medical co-morbidities, and psychological complications is important in the design of interventions to encourage overweight youth and families to accomplish healthy lifestyle changes. We evaluated associations among psychological status, diagnosed medical co-morbidities consistent with components of the metabolic syndrome, and BMI among 166 obese adolescents (11-18 years) referred for endocrinology consultation. We hypothesized that there would be higher levels of psychological distress among youth with more diagnosed components of the metabolic syndrome (i.e., more medical co-morbidities associated with obesity). Contrary to expectation, we found that meeting criteria for extreme obesity alone was more predictive of psychological difficulties. The degree of obesity may be more relevant than the number of associated medical co-morbidities in impacting psychological health. It is important to recognize individual differences between patients in terms of identifying motivating goals for accomplishing weight management.

PAAUGLIO PSICHOLOGINIO FUNKCIONAVIMO KLAUSIMYNAS: ATNAUJINIMAS IR PSICHOMETRINĖS CHARAKTERISTIKOS

In the recent literature, devoted to the psychology of adolescence, a new tendency evolves to focus on the factors and indicators of the positive development, rather than only on the risk factors for problematic development. Nevertheless, the lack of measures which would not be based on the pathology perspective and at the same time assessing the broad spectrum of the adolescents’ everyday life functioning areas could be noted. The aim of the article is to present the revision process and psychometric properties of one of such methods – Adolescent Psychological Functioning Difficulties Questionnaire (after revision – Adolescent Psychological Functioning Questionaire). Methods and materials. The preliminary psychometric analysis (Pakrosnis, Cepukiene, 2009) leaded to the decision to replace the dichotomous scaling responses system, assessing the presence/absence of certain behaviors with the one based on the 5-point Likert scale, assessing the frequency of behaviors and allowing to use the questionnaire for measuring changes in the psychological functioning over time. This led to the need to correct formulation of some items and repeat the psychometric analysis of the revised questionnaire. For this purpose the data from 1049 adolescents (12-18 years) was collected. The factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest analysis and comparisons between age, gender and family status groups were conducted. Results and conclusions. The new factor structure of 6 factors explains higher percent of total variance (48%) comparing to the previous one of 5 factors (29%) and allows evaluating not only psychological functioning difficulties (Non-adaptive behavior and Emotional difficulties scales), but indicators of good functioning as well (Socially adaptive behavior, Caring behavior, Adjustment at school, Self-confidence scales). [...]

Daily Morning Running for 3 Weeks Improved Sleep and Psychological Functioning in Healthy Adolescents Compared With Controls

To compare sleep electroencephalographic patterns and psychological functioning of healthy adolescents running regularly in the mornings with those of control subjects. Although several studies have shown that regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise is related to favorable sleep and psychological functioning in adolescents, research on the effectiveness of short interventions is more limited. Fifty-one adolescents (mean age = 18.30 years; 27 female [53%]) took part in the study; they were randomly assigned either to a running or to a control group. The running group went running every morning for 30 minutes at moderate intensity during weekdays for 3 consecutive weeks. Sleep electroencephalographic patterns and psychological functioning were assessed in both groups before and after the 3-week period. All participants also kept a sleep log for 3 weeks. Objective sleep improved (slow-wave sleep increased; sleep onset latency decreased) in the running group compared with the control group. Subjective sleep quality, mood, and concentration during the day improved, whereas sleepiness during the day decreased. Thirty minutes of running in the morning during weekdays for 3 consecutive weeks impacted positively on sleep and psychological functioning in healthy adolescents compared with control subjects. Running is inexpensive and easy to implement during school schedules, and as both objective and subjective improvements were observed within 3 weeks, regular physical exercise should be promoted.

Adolescents and Emerging Adults' Sleep Patterns: New Developments

Adolescents and Emerging Adults' Sleep Patterns: New Developments

High Exercise Levels are Related to Favorable Sleep Patterns and Psychological Functioning in Adolescents: A Comparison of Athletes and Controls

High Exercise Levels are Related to Favorable Sleep Patterns and Psychological Functioning in Adolescents: A Comparison of Athletes and Controls

High Exercise Levels Are Related to Favorable Sleep Patterns and Psychological Functioning in Adolescents: A Comparison of Athletes and Controls

To investigate whether chronic vigorous exercising is related to improved sleep and psychological functioning, and whether this association varies with gender. Both lay and scientific opinions hold that physical activity is an efficient remedy and preventative measure for poor sleep. However, empirical evidence on adolescents is very limited. A total of 434 adolescents (258 athletes, 176 controls; mean age 17.2 years) took part in the study. Weekly hours spent exercising were 17.69 hours and 4.69 hours, respectively. To assess sleep patterns and psychological functioning, participants completed a sleep log for 7 consecutive days and several self-rating questionnaires. Compared with controls, athletes reported better sleep patterns including higher sleep quality, shortened sleep onset latency, and fewer awakenings after sleep onset, as well as less tiredness and increased concentration during the day. Athletes reported significantly lower anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms. Compared with males, females reported fewer variations in sleep. Male controls had particularly unfavorable scores related to sleep and psychological functioning. Findings suggest that chronic vigorous exercising is positively related to adolescents' sleep and psychological functioning. Results also indicate that males with low exercise levels are at risk for increased sleep complaints and poorer psychological functioning.

Parent–Teen Interactions as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Headache

This study investigated parent-adolescent conflict, family functioning, and adolescent autonomy as predictors of depressive symptoms in adolescents with primary headache. Frequent headaches during adolescence can have a negative impact on activity levels and psychological functioning. Depression is particularly prevalent in adolescents with headache but little research has examined the role of parent-teen interactions in predicting depressive symptoms. Thirty adolescents diagnosed with migraine or chronic daily headache completed self-report measures of pain intensity, parent-adolescent conflict, family functioning, and depression. Adolescents and their parents also participated in three videotaped interaction tasks, scored by independent raters to assess adolescent autonomy. Regression models revealed that pain intensity, parent-adolescent conflict, and autonomy predicted depressive symptoms. Higher levels of conflict, poorer family functioning and lower levels of autonomy were associated with more depressive symptoms. This study highlights the association between parent-teen interactions and psychological functioning in adolescents with primary headache. Implications for intervention are discussed.

Relationships Among Sleepiness, Sleep Time, and Psychological Functioning in Adolescents

This study examined associations among adolescent sleepiness, sleep duration, variability in sleep duration, and psychological functioning (symptoms of anxiety, depression, externalizing behaviors, and perceived health). This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a community-based cohort study of sleep and health. Participants were 247 adolescents (48.6% female, 54.3% ethnic minority, mean age of 13.7 years). Sleep duration and variability in sleep duration were measured by actigraphy and sleepiness was measured by adolescent questionnaire. Primary outcomes were measured by parent, teacher, and adolescent questionnaires. Sleepiness was associated with higher scores on measures of anxiety (Adjusted partial r(2) = .28, p < .001), depression (Adjusted partial r(2) = .23, p < .001), and perceived health (indicating more negative outcomes) (Adjusted partial r(2) = .19, p < .01). Significant associations between sleep duration or variability in sleep duration with psychological variables were not found. Findings highlight the inter-relationships between sleepiness and psychological functioning and the potential importance of addressing sleepiness in health and psychological evaluations of adolescents.

The role of acceptance in psychological functioning in adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A preliminary study

This study explored the role of acceptance in accounting for the heterogeneity in psychological functioning in adolescents suffering from cystic fibrosis. Thirty-four adolescents completed a battery of questionnaires assessing acceptance, anxiety, depression, and disability. Regression analyses revealed that acceptance had a significant and unique contribution in explaining adolescents’ anxiety, depression, and disability beyond the effects of demographic variables and parameters of disease severity. Forced expiratory volume, a parameter of disease severity, had a unique contribution in explaining disability, but not in explaining anxiety and depression. Our results support the idea that accepting the limitations imposed by a chronic disease and readjusting life goals has a positive effect upon psychological functioning in adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Acceptance-based therapies might prove useful in promoting well-being in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

De rol van aanvaarding bij jongeren met cystic fibrosis

There is a large variation in psychological functioning in adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Explaining this heterogeneity is a major challenge in research. This study explored the role of acceptance in accounting for psychological functioning. We expected that adolescents who reported more acceptance of their illness would be less anxious, depressed and disabled. Thirty-six adolescents completed a battery of questionnaires including the Illness Cognition Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Inventory and Functional Disability Inventory. Regression analyses showed that acceptance had a significant and unique contribution in explaining adolescents’ anxiety, depression and disability, beyond the contribution of demographic variables and disease severity. Disease severity also had a unique contribution in explaining disability. The results of this study provide evidence for the important role of acceptance in psychological functioning in adolescents with cystic fibrosis. This is in line with studies in other chronic conditions such as chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome. Results are discussed in the context of acceptance-based therapies that might prove useful in promoting well-being in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

The Effects of Romantic Involvement on Psychological Well-Being in Late Adolescence

The Effects of Romantic Involvement on Psychological Well-Being in Late Adolescence