Youth Positive Mental Health Concepts and Definitions: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis

Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar (), Mythily Subramaniam, Esmond Seow, Sherilyn Chang, Rajeswari Sambasivam, Nan Luo, Swapna Verma, Siow Ann Chong and Rob M. van Dam
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Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Mythily Subramaniam: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Esmond Seow: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Sherilyn Chang: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Rajeswari Sambasivam: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Nan Luo: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
Swapna Verma: Department of Early Psychosis, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Siow Ann Chong: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10, Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Rob M. van Dam: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Research on youth positive mental health (PMH) lacks comprehensiveness. We reviewed literature to (i) identify and understand concepts related to youth PMH and (ii) to summarize their definitions under broad conceptual themes. Method: We conducted a systematic review using PRISMA methodology. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO database (ID:CRD42020203712). Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, and OpenGrey databases were searched for publications that examined, assessed, explained, or defined PMH concepts in youth populations. Methods included searching, independent screening and review using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, extraction, coding, and iterative thematic syntheses of literature. Results: Of 3427 unique records identified, 105 articles from 26 countries met review criteria. Qualitative analysis resulted in 22 broad themes of youth PMH. These included interpersonal relationships (interpersonal competence, school connectedness, etc.), positive emotions (feel and create pleasant emotions, gratitude, etc.), self-efficacy (strengths, human agency, etc.), life satisfaction (global assessment of one’s life), and personal growth (goal achievement, life aspirations, etc.). Five novel concepts related to youth PMH were identified. Conclusions: Our review summarized and operationalized multiple concepts of youth PMH for applications in research, evaluation, and public health improvement.

Keywords: adolescents; mental health promotion; mental well-being; PRISMA; teenagers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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