Support networks and mental health in adolescence

Editorial Staff/Alba Junquera

El project The objective of this study is to study the mental health of adolescents aged 14 to 17 living in Spain and to analyze which support networks are important at this stage. To this end, qualitative and quantitative methodologies were combined, obtaining several samples: a representative sample of 806 adolescents from across Spain, an additional sample of 228 LGBTQI+ adolescents for the survey, and 44 LGBTQI+ participants in focus groups.

The results They show that 11,2% of adolescents in the overall sample report feeling very or quite unhappy, and 38,8% report having regularly experienced loneliness in the past year. Regarding depression, 14% are reported to be experiencing severe episodes, and 6,6% are experiencing severe episodes.

Furthermore, this study shows that 15,7% of respondents reported having attempted suicide and 19,8% reported having considered it, while 29,3% reported engaging in self-harm during the past year, of whom 10,5% reported frequently thinking about it.

The study sought to compare cis and heterosexual adolescence with LGBTQ+ adolescence and found greater bullying among the latter group. The results show that the greater the perception of violence experienced and the lower the connection or support from family, school, and social (peer) communities, the higher the level of depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and unwanted loneliness, and consequently, the lower the level of perceived happiness among adolescents.

"We found that LGBTQ+ adolescents have significantly less connection with their families and school environments. Family rejection, peer bullying, and microaggressions appear to be related to greater psychological distress in LGBTQ+ adolescents," explains Yolanda Pastor, the study's principal investigator and a professor in the Department of Psychology at the URJC.

Researchers from the Open University of Catalonia participated in this work, along with other experts from the Rovira i Virgili University, the Jaume I University, the Alberto Hurtado University, and the University of Girona. The project was developed thanks to the support of the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation in the Flash 2023 Call for Projects (Social, school and family connectedness and mental health in adolescence and vulnerability in LGBT).

Support networks in adolescence

The main findings of the research emphasize the importance of support networks in the family, school, and peers during adolescence, as essential elements for good mental health.

One of the most important actors is the family. Family connection refers to the sense of belonging, affection, care, appreciation, and respect that is received and perceived by family members. It is essential because it provides a space of safety that fosters the well-being of young people.

The second link refers to the school and the students' perception of whether adults and their peers at the school care not only about their learning and results, but also about their personal experiences and well-being.

“Family and school support are the most important factors that generate resilience and protection against peer violence and the adversities that sometimes occur,” the URJC researcher emphasizes.

This work highlights that peer relationships are essential in adolescence, as they act as a protective factor in the face of adversity. Healthy relationships strengthen their well-being and help them cope with experiences of exclusion, especially when safe and inclusive spaces are created.