Associations between the coping self in adolescence and mental health in early adulthood.
OBJECTIVE
We have insufficient knowledge of the factors that should be considered when attempting to promote the mental health of adolescents, and whether the coping self during adolescence is indicative of mental health in later life.


METHODS
Coping self data were collected in 1996 from 14-year-old pupils (N= 249) using part of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire. Mental health data were collected in 2006 from the same persons at the age of 24 years, using the Symptom Checklist-90 instrument, with a response rate of 64.0% (n= 159).


RESULTS
Feelings of adolescents related to poor emotional health including fear, shame, guilt, and low trust were associated with depression in women and interpersonal symptoms in men in early adulthood. In addition, feelings of a lack of mastery in adolescence were associated with psychotic symptoms in women and interpersonal symptoms in men in early adulthood.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents' perceptions of their emotional health and mastery are important factors to consider in attempts to promote mental health.
Kinnunen
Pirjo
P
Department of Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. Pirjo.Kinnunen@uku.fi
Laukkanen
Eila
E
Kiviniemi
Vesa
V
Kylmä
Jari
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011594:Psychometrics; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult