School and family correlates of positive affect in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents
Purpose
Research on psychological wellbeing has received far less attention than mental illness and has created a gap in our understanding of positive mental health. This research is even more sparse among adolescents. The present study examined the correlates of one measure of psychological wellbeing, positive affect, which refers to one’s propensity to experience positive emotions and interact with others and with life’s challenges in a positive way. Two dimensions of school support (teacher-students relationship and student engagement) and family support (family communication and family closeness) were examined.
Approach
The study utilized data from The National Comorbidity Survey - Adolescent Supplement (n = 10,123), a nationally representative sample of US adolescents. Structural equation modern were used for analysis. Because previous studies suggest family and school support may be affected by race and gender, analysis was conducted for the entire sample and then for girls and boys who identified as Black, Latinx, and White.
Findings
Among the total sample, all dimensions of school and family support were correlated with positive affect.
Latinos reported significantly lower positive affect than Whites.
Males reported higher levels of positive affect than females.
Blacks and Latinos reported lower perceptions of family communication than Whites and higher school emotions support than Whites.
When the total sample was divided by race and gender there were marked differences in the relationship between school/family support and positive affects across groups.
Males and Whites most closely resembled the total sample
Females and adolescents of color exhibited unique relationships
Practice & policy
Studies on the “average” adolescent are not inclusive of girls or people of color. Psychosocial mechanisms operate differently for specific groups and assessment and interventions must be aware of those differences in order increase psychological wellbeing.