Socioeconomic Status, Protective Factors, and Mental Health Problems in Transition from Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood: Results of the Longitudinal BELLA Study

Abstract

Lower familial socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with more mental health problems in adolescence. The aim of this study was to identify factors that may protect adolescents from families with lower SES from developing mental health problems in emerging adulthood. Data of the population-based longitudinal BELLA study included n = 426 participants aged 13 to 17 years at t0 (2009–2012) and 18 to 24 years at t1 (2014–2017). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions with interaction terms were conducted, examining three selected protective factors (self-efficacy, family climate, and social support). Self-efficacy had a small protective effect for adolescents from families with lower SES for mental health problems in emerging adulthood. However, social support had a small protective effect for adolescents from families with higher SES. No moderating effect was found for family climate. Instead, better family climate in adolescents predicted fewer mental health problems in emerging adulthood with a small effect regardless the SES in adolescence. Results indicate the need for prevention measures for adolescents from families with lower SES for becoming mentally healthy emerging adults.

The Intersection of Gender and Mental Well-Being among Adolescents in Pakistan: Challenges, Strategies, and Future Recommendations

“…A supportive family environment, however, can mitigate mental health challenges, irrespective of socioeconomic status. A longitudinal study included 426 adolescents revealed that self-efficacy exhibited a modest protective effect against mental health problems in those belonging to low-income homes, while social support showed a similar effect for adolescents from higher-income families [16]. Additionally, a positive family environment emerged as a factor associated with lower mental health problems in adolescence, irrespective of socioeconomic status.…”