Citation

Fonseca-Pedrero E, Ortuño-Sierra J, Perez-Albeniz A. Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental (English Edition) 2020; 13(4): 202-212.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.rpsm.2020.01.002

PMID

32444209

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify homogenous subgroups of adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties using latent profile analysis. The relationship between the latent profile classes and socio-emotional and school adjustment was also analysed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,506 students, 667 men (44.3%) were selected by random cluster sampling. The mean age was 16.15 years (SD=1.36). The instruments used were the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Personal Wellbeing Index-School Version, The 10-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children, the Prodromal Questionnaire Brief, the Paykel Suicide Scale, the Cyberbullying-Brief Questionnaire, the Penn Matrix Reasoning Test, and the school performance assessment.
RESULTS: A total of 7.7% of adolescents obtained risk scores for mental health difficulties. We identified 3 mental health subgroups named: Low risk, Externalizing, and Internalizing. These 3 latent classes demonstrated a differential pattern in terms of socio-emotional adjustment and academic performance.
CONCLUSIONS: To identify and validate risk groups of youths for emotional and behavioural problems allows implementing measures to promote emotional well-being and prevent mental health problems. Future studies should continue to analyse young people with emotional and behavioural problems longitudinally and to incorporate new forms of assessment and intervention.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescence; Mental health; Adolescencia; Emotional well-being; Salud mental; Bienestar emocional; Dificultades emocionales; Emotional difficulties; Latent profiles; Perfiles latentes