Does Positive Mental Health in Adolescence Longitudinally Predict Healthy Transitions in Young Adulthood?

M O’Connor; AV Sanson; JW Toumbourou; J Norrish; CA Olsson

Journal article

Does Positive Mental Health in Adolescence Longitudinally Predict Healthy Transitions in Young Adulthood?

M O’Connor, AV Sanson, JW Toumbourou, J Norrish, CA Olsson

Journal of Happiness Studies | Published : 2017

DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9723-3

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Abstract

The present study examined the longer-term implications of adolescent positive mental health for successful young adult transitions. Positive mental health in adolescence was defined by indicators roughly corresponding to Seligman’s positive psychology PERMA framework (positive emotional experiences, engagement, relationships, purpose, and accomplishment), with the addition of health. Data were drawn from one of Australia’s longest running studies of social and emotional development (Australian Temperament Project, est. 1983, N = 2443), which has followed a large representative community sample from infancy to 27–28 years of age. In the analyzed sample of n = 999, positive mental health at 1..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Ann Sanson Author

Meredith O'Connor Author

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Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

The Australian Temperament Project is a collaboration between The University of Melbourne, the Australian Institute of Family Studies, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, and Deakin University; further information available at www.aifs.com.au/atp. C Olsson is supported by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Senior Research Fellowship [DP130101459]. We acknowledge all collaborators who have contributed to the Australian Temperament Project, especially Margot Prior, Frank Oberklaid and Diana Smart. We would also like to thank all families involved in the ATP for their invaluable contribution to the study. Geelong Grammar School provided personnel support for this study, for authors M O'Connor and J Norrish. The funding body had no role in relation to the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.