Generalized Anxiety Symptoms and Identity Processes in Cross-Cultural Samples of Adolescents from the General Population

Abstract

Background Approximately 20 % of adolescents around the world experience mental health problems, most commonly depression or anxiety. High levels of anxiety disorder symptoms can hinder adolescent development, persist into adulthood, and predict negative mental outcomes, such as suicidal ideation and attempts. Objectives We analyzed generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms in cross-cultural samples from the general population. We sought to examine cultural and gender differences, and correlates of GAD symptoms in samples of adolescents from six countries located in three different continents (Europe: Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands; Africa: Kenya; Asia: China and Philippines). Methods Participants were 3,445 (51 % male) adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years old. They filled self-report measures of GAD symptoms and identity.

How Individual Coping, Mental Health, and Parental Behavior Are Related to Identity Development in Emerging Adults in Seven Countries

“…In recent years, several cross-cultural studies were conducted on the associations between identity processes and mental health (Crocetti et al, 2015), well-being (Karaś, Cieciuch, Negru, & Crocetti, 2015), life satisfaction (Dimitrova et al, 2018), and parental trust and emotional separation (Sugimura et al, 2018). These studies focus mostly on adolescents in diverse cultural settings.…”

“…Several studies reported an association between internalizing disorders, especially depression, and ruminative exploration (Kroger, 2007; Luyckx, Seiffge-Krenke, et al, 2008; Seiffge-Krenke & Escher, 2018). Generalized anxiety symptoms were also related to identity processes (Crocetti et al, 2015). Links to externalizing disorders were less frequently found (Crocetti, Klimstra, Hale, Koot, & Meeus, 2013).…”

Identity processes and statuses in post‐Soviet Georgia: Exploration processes operate differently

“…Indeed, understanding the role of cultural context in identity development (Baumeister & Muraven, 1996) requires that diverse cultural contexts be studied. With increasing globalization, research conducted with identity status models has begun to expand beyond the West (Crocetti et al, 2015; Morsünbül, Crocetti, Çok, & Meeus, 2014). The present study represents another step in this direction.…”

Shedding light on the dark side of identity: Introduction to the special issue

“…Finally, identity researchers took up the challenge of studying more in‐depth the “neglected 95%” (Arnett, 2008), largely increasing the number of studies in non‐American samples. These studies include both studies focusing on identity in specific understudied national groups (e.g., identity in Filipino youth; Pesigan, Luyckx, & Alampay, 2014) as well as cross‐cultural comparisons involving youth from different continents (Crocetti et al, 2015). This increase in diversity is highlighting international perspectives in similarities and differences in how youth around the globe develop their identity (Berman, 2011; Schwartz, Zamboanga, Meca, & Ritchie, 2012).…”