Adolescent psychopathology and psychological wellbeing: A network analysis approach

Abstract Background The extent to which psychological wellbeing may play a preventive and therapeutic role in the development and maintenance of adolescent emotional disorders depends, in part, on the nature of the overlap between these two constructs. We used network analysis to examine the relationship between adolescent psychopathology (measured by depression and anxiety symptoms) and psychological wellbeing (measured by happiness, optimism, social support, perceived control, and gratitude). Methods This was a cross-sectional study with a in a large community sample of Kenyan adolescents (N = 2,192, ages 13-to-18). Network analyses was conducted to examine the topology, stability, centrality, and bridge nodes of a network of psychopathology and psychological wellbeing measures. Results Two distinct community clusters emerged, one for psychopathology nodes and another for wellbeing nodes, suggesting that these are two distinct but connected concepts. Central and bridge nodes of the wellbeing and psychopathology network are identified. The most central nodes in the network were general gratefulness and worry; the strongest negative edges between psychopathology and psychological wellbeing were depressed mood—I love life and irritability—I am a joyful person; the main bridge nodes were optimistic about future and special person around for me. Conclusions Our findings expand understanding of the relationship between wellbeing and psychopathology in an understudied population and are suggestive of how psychological wellbeing can inform psychopathological treatment/preventive efforts in low-income regions such as those in Sub Saharan Africa.