Relationship Between Domains of Subjective Well-Being and Psychopathology: Gender Differences in Chilean Adolescents

Andrés Rubio, Juan Carlos Oyanedel, Andrés Mendiburo-Seguel, Cristián Céspedes, Sergio Fuentealba, Danae Pedraza, Javier Torres-Vallejos, Irina Aceituno-Dinamarca

Abstract


Mental health and adolescent well-being are central elements of healthy development. Although these concepts are two sides of the same coin, the relationship between them has not been studied extensively, particularly considering the gender variable. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of subjective well-being and risk of psychopathology by gender in a sample of 838 Chilean adolescents (46.7% off women, mean age of 15.50 years, SD = 0.96), as well as to determine the relationship between these two variables. The study was non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational. Mean comparison analyzes were carried out to determine in which domains of subjective well-being and psychopathology statistically significant gender differences were present. In addition, multiple linear regression analyzes were carried out (for the complete sample and for the subsamples of male and female adolescents), considering the domains of subjective well-being as independent variables and a general psychopathology factor as the dependent variable, with the objective of identify which specific domains of subjective well-being were associated with psychopathology for each group.  The results show that women have a higher risk of psychopathology and lower levels of subjective well-being, these differences being statistically significant in most of the dimensions evaluated (p-value < .05). For male adolescents, the domains of subjective well-being that were statistically significantly related (p-value < .05) to the risk of psychopathology were satisfaction with “your life in school” (Beta std. = -.24), “how confident you feel in your current life” (Beta std. = -.18) and “how confident you feel about yourself” (Beta std. = -.18), in this order of importance. Likewise for the adolescent women these domains were satisfaction with “how confident you feel about yourself” (Beta std. = -.21) and “your personal health” (Beta std. = -.12). It is concluded that gender differences in psychopathology and subjective well-being constitute an important gap, which must be addressed by interventions and public policies.


Keywords


mental health; life satisfaction; students; depression; anxiety; ADHD

Full Text:

EPUB PDF XML HTML


DOI: https://doi.org/10.62174/psocial.10378

References


References

Akseer, N. et al. (2020) Non-communicable diseases among adolescents: current status, determinants, interventions and policies. BMC Public Health. 20, 1-20; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09988-5

Alfaro, J., Casas, F., & López, V. (2015). Bienestar en la infancia y adolescencia. Psicoperspectivas. 14, 1–5. https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-69242015000100001&lng=es&tlng=es

Alfaro, J., Valdenegro, B., & Oyarzún, D. (2013) Análisis de propiedades psicométricas del Índice de Bienestar Personal en una muestra de adolescentes chilenos - Psychometric Properties Analysis of the Personal Well-Being Index in a Sample of Chilean Adolescents. Diversitas. 9, 13–27; http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=67926246005

Alvarez, K., Denegri, M. P., & Valdés, C. (2017) Gender Differences and Life Satisfaction in Vulnerable Adolescents. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry. 56, S296; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.09.401 .

American Psychiatric Association. (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing.

Arrospide, A., Machón, M., Ramos-Goñi, J. M., Ibarrondo, O., & Mar, J. (2019) Inequalities in health-related quality of life according to age, gender, educational level, social class, body mass index and chronic diseases using the Spanish value set for Euroquol 5D-5L questionnaire. Health Qual. Life Outcomes. 17, 1-10.

Asher, M., Asnaani, A., & Aderka, I. M. (2017) Gender differences in social anxiety disorder: A review. Clin. Psychol. Rev. 56, 1-12.

Astor, R. A., Benbenishty, R., Zeira, A., & Vinokur, A. (2002). School Climate, Observed Risky Behaviors, and Victimization as Predictors of High School Students’ Fear and Judgments of School Violence as a Problem. Health Educ. Behav. 29, 716–736. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019802237940

Baier, D., Hong, J. S., Kliem, S., & Bergmann, M. C. (2018). Consequences of Bullying on Adolescents’ Mental Health in Germany: Comparing Face-to-Face Bullying and Cyberbullying. JCFS. 28, 2347–2357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1181-6

Barra, E., Cerna, R., Kramm, D., & Véliz, V. (2006). Problemas de Salud, Estrés, Afrontamiento, Depresión y Apoyo Social en Adolescentes. Ter. Psicol. 24, 55–61. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/785/78524106.pdf

Barrigon, M. L., & Cegla-Schvartzman, F. (2020). Sex, gender, and suicidal behavior. Behavioral Neurobiology of Suicide and Self Harm. 89-115.

Bilbao-Ramírez, M. Á. et al. (2016). Propiedades psicométricas de la escala índice de bienestar personal (PWI – SC) en adolescentes chilenos. Salud & Sociedad.7, 168–178; https://doi.org/10.22199/S07187475.2016.0002.00003 .

Baier, D., Hong, J. S., Kliem, S., & Bergmann, M. C. (2018). Consequences of Bullying on Adolescents’ Mental Health in Germany: Comparing Face-to-Face Bullying and Cyberbullying. JCFS. 28, 2347–2357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1181-6

Barra, E., Cerna, R., Kramm, D., & Véliz, V. (2006). Problemas de Salud, Estrés, Afrontamiento, Depresión y Apoyo Social en Adolescentes. Ter. Psicol. 24, 55–61. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/785/78524106.pdf

Barrigon, M. L., & Cegla-Schvartzman, F. (2020). Sex, gender, and suicidal behavior. Behavioral Neurobiology of Suicide and Self Harm. 89-115.

Bilbao-Ramírez, M. Á. et al. (2016). Propiedades psicométricas de la escala índice de bienestar personal (PWI – SC) en adolescentes chilenos. Salud & Sociedad.7, 168–178; https://doi.org/10.22199/S07187475.2016.0002.00003 .

Blakemore, S. J. (2019). Adolescence and mental health. The lancet. 393, 2030-2031 .

Bos, E. H., Snippe, E., de Jonge, P., Jeronimus, B. F. (2016). Preserving subjective wellbeing in the face of psychopathology: Buffering effects of personal strengths and resources. PLoS ONE. 11, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150867

Calvete, E., & Cardeñoso, O. (2005). Gender Differences in Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression and Behavior Problems in Adolescents. J. Abnorm. Child Psychol. 33, 179–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-005-1826-y

Caqueo-Urízar, A., Mena-Chamorro, P., Flores, J., Narea, M., & Irarrázaval, M. (2020). Problemas de regulación emocional y salud mental en adolescentes del norte de Chile. Ter. Psicol. 38, 203-222 .

Casas, F. et al. (2012). Testing the Personal Wellbeing Index on 12–16 Year-Old Adolescents in 3 Different Countries with 2 New Items. Soc. Indic. Res. 105, 461–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9781-1

Chen, X., Cai, Z., He, J., & Fan, X. (2020). Gender differences in life satisfaction among children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. J. Happiness Stud. 21, 2279-2307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00169-9

Dalsgaard, S. et al. (2020). Association of mental disorder in childhood and adolescence with subsequent educational achievement. JAMA Psychiatry.77, 797–805. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.0217 .

De la Barra, F. (2009). Epidemiología de trastornos psiquiátricos en niños y adolescentes: Estudios de prevalencia. 47, 303–314. http://www.scielo.cl/pdf/rchnp/v47n4/art07.pdf .

De La Barra, F., Vicente, B., Saldivia, S., & Melipillán, R. (2012). Estudio de epidemiología psiquiátrica en niños y adolescentes en Chile. Estado actual. Rev. Méd. Clin. Las Condes. 23, 521–529. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0716-8640(12)70346-2 .

Di Giunta, L. et al. (2018). Parents’ and early adolescents’ self-efficacy about anger regulation and early adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing problems: A longitudinal study in three countries. J. Adolesc. 64, 124–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.01.009 .

Diener, E., & Suh, E. (1997). Measuring quality of life: Economic, social, and subjective indicators. Soc. Indic. Res. 40, 189–216. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006859511756 .

Diener, Ed. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. Am. Psychol. 55, 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.34

Duy, B., & Yıldız, M. A. (2019). The mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between optimism and subjective well-being. Curr. Psychol. 38, 1456-1463.

Fernandez, M. E. et al. (2018). The moderating role of age and gender differences in the relation between subjective well-being, psychopathology and substance use in Uruguayan adolescents. Rev. Latinoam. de Psicopatol. Fundam. 21, 486–510. https://doi.org/10.1590/1415-4714.2018v21n3p486.5

Florenzano , R. et al. (2009). Conductas de riesgo, síntomas depresivos, auto y heteroagresión en una muestra de adolescentes escolarizados en la Región Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile, 2007. Rev. Chil. Neuro-Psiquiat. 47, 24-33; https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272009000100004

Frey, M., Obermeier, V., von Kries, R., & Schulte-Körne, G. (2020). Age and sex specific incidence for depression from early childhood to adolescence: A 13-year longitudinal analysis of German health insurance data. J. Psychiatr. Res. 129, 17-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.001

Gadow, K. D. et al. (2002). A DSM-IV-Referenced, Adolescent Self-Report Rating Scale. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry. 41, 671–679. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200206000-00006

Gao, W., Ping, S., & Liu, X. (2020). Gender differences in depression, anxiety, and stress among college students: a longitudinal study from China. J. Affect. Disord. 263, 292-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.121

González, E. et al. (2016). Diferencias de género en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adolescentes escolarizados chilenos. Rev. Med. Chile. 144, 298–306. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872016000300004

González-Carrasco, M., Casas, F., Malo, S., Viñas, F., & Dinisman, T. (2017). Changes with Age in Subjective Well-Being Through the Adolescent Years: Differences by Gender. J. Happiness Stud. 18, 63–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9717-1

Grenier, S. et al. (2019). Association of age and gender with anxiety disorders in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry. 34, 397-407

Haquin, C., Larraguibel, M., & Cabezas, J. (2004). Factores protectores y de riesgo en salud mental en niños y adolescentes de la ciudad de Calama. Rev. Chil. Pediatr. 75, 425-433. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0370-41062004000500003

Haworth, C. M. A., Carter, K., Eley, T. C., & Plomin, R. (2017). Understanding the genetic and environmental specificity and overlap between well-being and internalizing symptoms in adolescence. Dev. Sci. 20, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12376

Helwig, N. E., & Ruprecht, M. R. (2017). Age, gender, and self-esteem: A sociocultural look through a nonparametric lens. Arch. Sci. Psycho. 5, 19.

Hou, F., Bi, F., Jiao, R., Luo, D., & Song, K. (2020). Gender differences of depression and anxiety among social media users during the COVID-19 outbreak in China: a cross-sectional study. BMC public health. 20, 1-11.

Hyde, J. S., & Mezulis, A. H. (2020). Gender differences in depression: biological, affective, cognitive, and sociocultural factors. Harv. Rev. Psychiatry. 28, 4-13.

Hysing, M. et al. (2019). Bullying Involvement in Adolescence: Implications for Sleep, Mental Health, and Academic Outcomes. J. Interpers. Violence. 00, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519853409

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (2019). GBD Compare Data Visualization. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/

Kapungu, C. et al. (2018). Gendered influences on adolescent mental health in low-income and middle-income countries: recommendations from an expert convening. Lancet Child Adolesc. 2, 85–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(17)30152-9

Kapungu, C., & Petroni, S. (2017). Understanding and Tackling the Gendered Drivers of Poor Adolescent Mental Health. International Center for Research on Women.https://www.icrw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ICRW_Unicef_MentalHealth_WhitePaper_FINAL.pdf

Keyes, K. M., Gary, D., O’Malley, P. M., Hamilton, A., & Schulenberg, J. (2019). Recent increases in depressive symptoms among US adolescents: trends from 1991 to 2018. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 54, 987-996

Khesht-Masjedi, M. F. et al. (2019). The relationship between gender, age, anxiety, depression, and academic achievement among teenagers. Fam. Med. Prim. Care Rev. 8, 799

Kim, E. K., Dowdy, E., Furlong, M. M., & You, S. (2019). Complete Mental Health Screening: Psychological Strengths and Life Satisfaction in Korean Students. Child Indic. Res. 12, 901–915 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-018-9561-4

Lahey, B. B. et al. (2000). Age and gender differences in oppositional behavior and conduct problems: A cross-sectional household study of middle childhood and adolescence. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 109, 488–503 https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.109.3.488

Lampropoulou, A. (2018). Personality, school, and family: What is their role in adolescents' subjective well-being. J. Adolesc. 67, 12-21

Lee, B. J., & Yoo, M. S. (2015). Family, school, and community correlates of children’s subjective well-being: An international comparative study. Child Indic. Res. 8, 151-175

López, V., Morales, M., & Ayala, Á. (2009). Maltrato entre pares: conductas de intimidación y victimización en escolares. Rev. Psicol. 27, 243–286. http://revistas.pucp.edu.pe/index.php/psicologia/article/view/42

Lundervold, A. J., Hinshaw, S. P., Sørensen, L., & Posserud, M. B. (2016). Co-occurring symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a population-based sample of adolescents screened for depression. Bmc Psychiatry, 16, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0739-3

Ma, Z.-W., Zeng, W.-N., & Ye, K.-Y. (2015). Gender Differences in Chinese Adolescents’ Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy. Psychol. Rep. 116, 311–321. https://doi.org/10.2466/17.07.PR0.116k15w2

Marasca, A. R., Hoffmann, M. S., Gaya, A. R., & Bandeira, D. R. (2021). Subjective Well-Being and Psychopathology Symptoms: Mental Health Profiles and their Relations with Academic Achievement in Brazilian Children. Child Indic. Res. 14, 1121-1137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-020-09792-y

Marcotte, D., Fortin, L., Potvin, P., & Papillon, M. (2002). Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms During Adolescence. J. Emot. Behav. Disord. 10, 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/106342660201000104

Marquez, J., & Long, E. (2020). A global decline in adolescents’ subjective well-being: a comparative study exploring patterns of change in the life satisfaction of 15-year-old students in 46 countries. Child Indic. Res. 14, 1251-1292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-020-09788-8

Michel, G., Bisegger, C., Fuhr, D. C., & Abel, T. (2009). Age and gender differences in health-related quality of life of children and adolescents in Europe: a multilevel analysis. Qual. Life Res. 18, 1147–1157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-009-9538-3

Miranda-Mendizabal, A. et al. (2019). Gender differences in suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Int. J. Public Health. 64, 265-283

Montt, M., & Chávez, F. U. (1996). Autoestima y salud mental en los adolescentes. Salud Ment. 19, 30–35. http://revistasaludmental.mx/index.php/salud_mental/article/view/596/596

Özdin, S., & Bayrak Özdin, Ş. (2020). Levels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender. Int. J.Soc.Psychiatry. 66, 504-511.

Patton, G. C. et al. (2016). Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. The Lancet. 387, 2423–2478. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00579-1

Polanczyk, G. V., Salum, G. A., Sugaya, L. S., Caye, A., & Rohde, L. (2015). A. Annual research review: A meta‐analysis of the worldwide prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 56, 345-365

Postigo, S., González, R., Mateu, C., Ferrero, J., & Martorell, C. (2009). Diferencias conductuales según género en convivencia escolar. Psicothema. 21, 453–458. http://www.psicothema.com/pdf/3653.pdf

Potrebny, T., Wiium, N., & Lundegård, M. M. I. (2017). Temporal trends in adolescents’ self-reported psychosomatic health complaints from 1980-2016: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 12, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188374

Rodríguez-Fernández, A., Ramos-Díaz, E., Ros, I., Fernández-Zabala, A., & Revuelta, L. (2016). Bienestar subjetivo en la adolescencia: el papel de la resiliencia, el autoconcepto y el apoyo social percibido. Suma Psicol. 23, 60–69 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sumpsi.2016.02.002

Rothon, C., Head, J., Klineberg, E., & Stansfeld, S. (2011). Can social support protect bullied adolescents from adverse outcomes? A prospective study on the effects of bullying on the educational achievement and mental health of adolescents at secondary schools in East London. J. Adolesc. 34, 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.02.007

Tomyn, A. J., & Cummins, R. A. (2011). The Subjective Wellbeing of High-School Students: Validating the Personal Wellbeing Index—School Children. Soc. Indic. Res. 101, 405–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9668-6

Tomyn, A. J., Cummins, R. A., & Norrish, J. M. (2015). The Subjective Wellbeing of ‘At-Risk’ Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian Adolescents. J. Happiness Stud. 16, 813–837. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9535-2

UNICEF(1989). Convención sobre los Derechos Del Niño. https://www.unicef.cl/web/informes/derechos_nino/convencion.pdf

UNICEF(2012). Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents.https://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Progress_for_Children_-_No._10_EN_04232012.pdf

UNICEF. (2018). Ensuring mental health and well-being in an adolescent’s formative years can foster a better transition from childhood to adulthood. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/mental-health/

Valkov, P. (2018). School dropout and substance use: Consequence or predictor. Trakia J. Sci. 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.15547/tjs.2018.02.004

Varela, J. J.et al. (2019). Exploring the influence school climate on the relationship between school violence and adolescent subjective well-being. Child Indic. Res. 12, 2095-2110

Vicente, B. et al. (2010). Epidemiología de trastornos mentales infanto juveniles en la Provincia de Cautín. Rev. Med. Chile. 138, 965–973. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872010000800004

Vicente, B. et al. (2012). Salud mental infanto-juvenil en Chile y brechas de atención sanitarias Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Chilean children and adolescents. Rev. Med. Chile. 140, 447–457. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872012000400005

Votruba, N., Eaton, J., Prince, M., & Thornicroft, G. (2014). The importance of global mental health for the Sustainable Development Goals. J. Ment. Health. 23, 283–286. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2014.976857

Waszkiewicz, N. (2020). Mentally Sick or Not—(Bio)Markers of Psychiatric Disorders Needed. J. Clin. Med. 9, 2375. http://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082375

World Health Organization. (2005). Child and adolescent mental health policies and plans. https://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/services/essentialpackage1v11/en/

World Health Organization. (2018). Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Retrieved June 24, 2019, from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg3

World Health Organization. (2021). Adolescent mental health. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

World Health Organization. (n.d). Gender Disparities in Mental Health. Retrieved on June 25, 2019 from https://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/242.pdf?ua=1

Yang, Q., Tian, L., Huebner, E. S., & Zhu, X. (2019). Relations among academic achievement, self-esteem, and subjective well-being in school among elementary school students: A longitudinal mediation model. Sch. Psychology. 34, 328

Young, A., & Yalin, N. (2018).The Age of Onset of Unipolar Depression. In Age of Onset of Mental Disorders: Etiopathogenetic and Treatment Implications. Springer International Publishing AG. pp. 111-125.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Estadísticas
Visitas al Abstract:31
EPUB:5
PDF:16
XML:24
HTML:24


{PSOCIAL} Journal of Research in Social Psychology. Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Buenos Aires (UBA)

ISSN 2422-619X. Semiannual publication (January-June and July-December).
 
Design: Mae Bermudez
 
 Jorunal Indexed and listed in:
  • ERIH PLUS (European Reference Index for the Humanities and Social Sciences) [registry]
  • Latindex Catálogo 2.0 (Regional Cooperative Online Information System for Scholarly Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portuga) [registry]
  • DOAJ (Directory Open Access Journals) [registry]
  • MIAR (Information Matrix for the Analysis of Journals) [registry]
  • PSICODOC (Online Bibliographic Database Madrid Official College of Psychologists) [registry] 
  • RDIUBA (Institutional Digital Repository) [registry]
  • REDIB (Iberoamerican Network for Innovation and Scientific Knowledge) [registry]
  • Open AIRE (Open Access Infraestructure for Research in Europe) [registry] 
  • Red LatinRev / FLACSO library (Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences) [registry]
  • BINPAR (National Bibliography of Registered Periodicals) [registry]
  • LATINOAMERICANA (Association of Academic Journals of Humanities and Social Sciences) [registry]
  • CLASE (Latin-American Citations in Social Sciences and Humanities) [registry]
  • Sherpa Romeo [registry]
  • Basic Nucleus of Argentine Scientific Journals [registry]
  • Mirab@l [registry]
  • Cabells' Journalytics [registry]
  • CIRC (Integrated Classification of Scientific Journals) [registry]
  • AmeliCA [registry]
  • LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature [registry]
  • EBSCO (Elton Bryson Stephens Company Information Services) [registry]
  • Malena [registry] 
  • Sara Network [registry]
  • SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) [registry]
  • Redalyc (Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain and. Portuga) [registry]
 

This journal is licenced under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)