scholarly journals Emotion Differentiation and Youth Mental Health: Current Understanding and Open Questions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik C. Nook
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Mechanistic Models ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Emotion Differentiation ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Growing Body

A growing body of research identifies emotion differentiation—the ability to specifically identify one’s emotions—as a key skill for well-being. High emotion differentiation is associated with healthier and more effective regulation of one’s emotions, and low emotion differentiation has been documented in several forms of psychopathology. However, the lion’s share of this research has focused on adult samples, even though approximately 50% of mental disorders onset before age 18. This review curates what we know about the development of emotion differentiation and its implications for youth mental health. I first review published studies investigating how emotion differentiation develops across childhood and adolescence, as well as studies testing relations between emotion differentiation and mental health in youth samples. Emerging evidence suggests that emotion differentiation actually falls across childhood and adolescence, a counterintuitive pattern that merits further investigation. Additionally, several studies find relations between emotion differentiation and youth mental health, but some instability in results emerged. I then identify open questions that limit our current understanding of emotion differentiation, including (i) lack of clarity as to the valid measurement of emotion differentiation, (ii) potential third variables that could explain relations between emotion differentiation and mental-health (e.g., mean negative affect, IQ, personality, and circularity with outcomes), and (iii) lack of clear mechanistic models regarding the development of emotion differentiation and how it facilitates well-being. I conclude with a discussion of future directions that can address open questions and work toward interventions that treat (or even prevent) psychopathology.

scholarly journals Emotion Differentiation and Youth Mental Health: Current Understanding and Open Questions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik C Nook
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Mechanistic Models ◽  
Firm Conclusion ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Emotion Differentiation ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Growing Body

A growing body of research identifies emotion differentiation—the ability to specifically identify one’s emotions—as a key skill for well-being. High emotion differentiation is associated with healthier and more effective regulation of one’s emotions, and low emotion differentiation has been documented in several forms of psychopathology. However, the lion’s share of this research has focused on adult samples, even though approximately 50% of mental disorders onset before age 18. This review curates what we know about the development of emotion differentiation and its implications for youth mental health. I first review published studies investigating how emotion differentiation develops across childhood and adolescence, and studies testing relations between emotion differentiation and mental health in youth samples. Emerging evidence suggests that emotion differentiation actually falls across childhood and adolescence, a counterintuitive pattern that merits further investigation. Similarly, although several studies find relations between emotion differentiation and youth mental health, instability in results suggests that more data are needed for a firm conclusion to be drawn. I then identify open questions that currently limit our understanding of emotion differentiation, including (i) lack of clarity as to the valid measurement of emotion differentiation, (ii) potential third variables that could explain relations between emotion differentiation and mental-health (e.g., mean negative affect, IQ, personality, and circularity with outcomes), and (iii) lack of clear mechanistic models regarding the development of emotion differentiation and how it facilitates well-being. I conclude with a discussion of future directions that can address open questions and work towards interventions that treat (or even prevent) psychopathology.

scholarly journals An Integrated Approach to Deal with Mental Health Issues of Children and Adolescent during COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousumi Sethy ◽  
Reshmi Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Children And Adolescent ◽  
Mental Health Issues

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has left few countries untouched. It is a far-reaching implication on humankind, with children and adolescents, being no exception. Although the prevalence and fatality are negligible among children, a possible impact on their psychological and mental health cannot be disregarded. The unprecedented change in the way of living is bound to be having some psychological consequences on children and adolescents. The experiences gathered in childhood and adolescence are known to contribute to shaping the physical, emotional, and social well-being in adult life. Children are highly susceptible to environmental stressors. The present situation has the potential of adversely affecting the physical and mental well-being of children. To save the children from the long term consequences of this pandemic, a holistic approach integrating biological, psychological, social and spiritual methods of enhancing mental health have become essential. A concerted effort of government, Non Government Organisations (NGOs), parents, teachers, schools, psychologists, counselors and physicians are required to deal with the mental health issues of children and adolescents. This paper discusses the possible role of these agencies in the holistic intervention of this crisis.

scholarly journals An Overview of International Literature on School Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Well-being in Children and Adolescents

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Giovanni Carta ◽  
Teresa Di Fiandra ◽  
Lorenzo Rampazzo ◽  
Paolo Contu ◽  
Antonio Preti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
International Literature ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
School Interventions ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Introduction:Mental disorders are the largest cause of the burden of disease in the world. Most of the burden affecting adult life has its onset during childhood and adolescence. The European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing calls for immediate action and investments in the mental health of children and adolescents. Schools may be the ideal location for promoting health and delivering healthcare services, since schools are a location where young people usually spend their daytime and socialize, schools are easily accessible to families, can provide non-stigmatizing health actions, and form links with the community.Aims and Goals of this Special Issue:This issue is developed within the framework of the Joint Action on Mental Health promoted by the European Commission. This special issue presents a set of systematic reviews on the evidence of the international literature on school interventions for the promotion of the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. It is focused on five topical main areas: promoting general health and wellbeing; programs targeting specific mental disorders and conditions and integration of adolescents with mental health problems; Bullying; Sport; Alcohol and Drugs. An additional paper on the results of the largest epidemiological study conducted in some European countries on the prevalence and relative risk factors of mental disorders in school-age completes the issue.Conclusion:These reviews are a first contribution to address future European research and interventions, in particular about the multiple ways through which European policies could support the schooling and wellbeing of children and adolescents.

Hope and Adolescent Mental Health

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Jiang ◽  
Kristin L. Otis ◽  
Marco Weber ◽  
E. Scott Huebner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Developmental Perspective ◽  
Hope Theory ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Children’S Hope Scale

This chapter begins with a description of the tenets of hope theory and then addresses the importance of hope during adolescence from a developmental perspective. Next, two accompanying instruments for measuring hope in adults and adolescents, the Adult Hope Scale and the Children’s Hope Scale, are described. Then the chapter summarizes the research findings on the relations between hope and adolescent mental health, focusing on the findings related to emotional, psychological, and social well-being, respectively. In addition, the Making Hope Happen intervention is introduced. Finally, the chapter explores future directions in adolescent hope research, along with implications for use by mental health professionals.

scholarly journals Building Resilience in Adolescents and Youths - The Maltese Scene

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Cachia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Group Development ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Building Resilience ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract The Office of the Commissioner for Mental Health in Malta was established in 2011 to promote and protect rights of persons with mental disorders and their carers. This advocacy role includes monitoring of involuntary care, regular reporting on quality of care and care environments, in-depth analysis and recommendations on emerging issues such as mental health literacy, multidisciplinary care plans, drug addiction services and stigma and regular networking across ministries, agencies, departments, and NGOs, breaking silos and building bridges. Data for 2018 shows that acutely ill young people (10-29 year olds) were 30% of acute involuntary admissions. Males and foreign nationals from medium and least developed countries were more frequently represented. Substance abuse, mood disorders and psychotic disorders were the more common diagnostic groups. Building resilience and providing opportunities for early intervention are key elements of better mental health and well-being in the younger generation. Six examples of good practice in adolescent and youth mental health from Malta will be presented: Youth.inc by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ; Kellimni.com by SOS Malta; Youth Mental Health First Aid by Richmond Foundation; Research and Professional Education by ACAMH (Malta); Student Support Services at MCAST MALTA; Project Enlight! by Enlight Foundation. Two of these initiatives were recognised as best practices at European level in a peer learning exercise conducted by the Dutch Youth Institute. The recommendations are: more focused approaches towards young people with acute mental disorders with special attention to their specific needs; the identification of young people in trouble; work programmes that build resilience, life-skills and employment prospects; the intensified use of refined electronic and social media tools for promotion, prevention and early intervention; and active support and encouragement of peer group development and self-help initiatives. Key messages Networking stakeholders to break silos and build bridges. Resilience and early intervention for better mental health and well-being.

scholarly journals Family trouble: Heteronormativity, emotion work and queer youth mental health

2019 ◽  
pp. 136345931986057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth McDermott ◽  
Jacqui Gabb ◽  
Rachael Eastham ◽  
Ali Hanbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotion Work ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Queer Youth ◽  
Health And Well Being

Conflict with the family about sexual orientation and gender diversity is a key risk factor associated with poor mental health in youth populations. Findings presented here derive from a UK study that employed an interdisciplinary critical mental health approach that de-pathologised emotional distress and conceptualised families as social and affective units that are created through everyday practices. Our aim was to explore how family relationships foster, maintain or harm the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. Data were generated through exploratory visual, creative and digital qualitative methods in two phases. Phase 1 involved digital/paper emotion maps and interviews with LGBTQ+ youth aged 16 to 25 (n = 12) and family member/mentor interviews (n = 7). Phase 2 employed diary methods and follow-up interviews (n = 9). The data analytic strategy involved three stages: individual case analysis, cross-sectional thematic analysis and meta-interpretation. We found that family relationships impacted queer youth mental health in complex ways that were related to the establishment of their autonomous queer selves, the desire to remain belonging to their family and the need to maintain a secure environment. The emotion work involved in navigating identity, belonging and security was made difficult because of family heteronormativity, youth autonomy and family expectations, and had a stark impact on queer youth mental health and well-being. Improving the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth requires a much deeper understanding of the emotionality of family relationships and the difficulties negotiating these as a young person.

scholarly journals Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. eaax0903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory N. Bratman ◽  
Christopher B. Anderson ◽  
Marc G. Berman ◽  
Bobby Cochran ◽  
Sjerp de Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Value Of Nature ◽  
Service Perspective ◽  
Nature Experience

A growing body of empirical evidence is revealing the value of nature experience for mental health. With rapid urbanization and declines in human contact with nature globally, crucial decisions must be made about how to preserve and enhance opportunities for nature experience. Here, we first provide points of consensus across the natural, social, and health sciences on the impacts of nature experience on cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and other dimensions of mental health. We then show how ecosystem service assessments can be expanded to include mental health, and provide a heuristic, conceptual model for doing so.

The Eight Ujarait (Rocks) Model: Supporting Inuit Adolescent Mental Health With an Intervention Model Based on Inuit Ways of Knowing

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen Katheryn Healey ◽  
Jennifer Noah ◽  
Ceporah Mearns
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

<p><strong><em>Objective:</em> </strong>This study responded to a community-identified need to form an evidence base for interventions to promote mental health and wellness among youth in Nunavut. <strong><em>Methods: </em></strong>A literature review was conducted using the terms <em>adolescence </em>and <em>Inuit</em> and <em>intervention </em>or <em>program </em>or <em>camp </em>or <em>land-based</em>. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used to find peer-reviewed and grey literature on community-based youth programs. The literature review was presented to parents, elders, and youth for discussion over several months in 2009-2010. <strong><em>Results:</em></strong> Key themes included: self-esteem, physical activity, stress and coping, positive peer relationships, Inuit identity, mental health and well-being, and the effects of intergenerational trauma on youth in Nunavut. Themes were incorporated into a model for youth mental health interventions based on Inuit terminology, philosophy, and societal values—the Eight <em>Ujarait</em>/Rocks Model. The model was implemented as a camp program in 6 pilots in 5 communities from 2011 to 2013. Data were collected before and after the camp. Results indicated that the program fostered physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness among youth. Parent observations of participants included an improvement in behaviour and attitude, strong cultural pride, greater confidence in identity, and improved family and community relationships. <strong><em>Conclusion: </em></strong>Evidence-based, community-driven models for youth mental health interventions in the North hold promise. The application of one such model through a camp program had a lasting impact on the individuals involved, beyond their immediate participation. Long-term monitoring of the participants, and ongoing evaluations of camps as they continue to unfold across Nunavut, are needed to contribute to the robust evidence base for this program over time.</p>

scholarly journals “Everybody’s responsibility”: Conceptualization of youth mental health in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Tamburrino ◽  
Elijah Getanda ◽  
Michelle O’Reilly ◽  
Panos Vostanis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attribution Of Responsibility ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Disadvantaged Area ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Identity Resolution

There is increasing interest in providing resilience-building interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), but limited evidence on how young people and their carers process mental health and related supports. The aim of this study was to establish stakeholders’ conceptualization of youth mental health in a disadvantaged area of Kenya through focus groups with 7 young people aged 14–17 years and their parents, 9 teachers and 11 practitioners or community leads. The four identified themes related to definitions of both mental well-being and mental health problems; a range of contributing factors related to identity resolution, parenting, poverty and social media; attribution of responsibility at different socio-ecological levels; and required awareness, supports and interventions at these levels. Stakeholders, notably young people, are thus essential in the development and planning of user-led and culturally appropriate interventions in LMIC.

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