Positive Mental Health in Adolescents: Implications of Cognitive–Emotional Processes and Social Support

Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente, Inmaculada Concepción Rodríguez-Rojo, Raquel Luengo-González (), Patricia González-Alegre, Daniel Cuesta-Lozano, Ángel Asenjo-Esteve, Patricia Blázquez-González and Montserrat García-Sastre
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Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente: Psychology Department, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain
Inmaculada Concepción Rodríguez-Rojo: Community Care and Social Determinants of Health (CUYDET), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, Universidad de Alcalá, 28804 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Raquel Luengo-González: Community Care and Social Determinants of Health (CUYDET), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, Universidad de Alcalá, 28804 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Patricia González-Alegre: Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Principe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Daniel Cuesta-Lozano: Community Care and Social Determinants of Health (CUYDET), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, Universidad de Alcalá, 28804 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Ángel Asenjo-Esteve: Community Care and Social Determinants of Health (CUYDET), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, Universidad de Alcalá, 28804 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Patricia Blázquez-González: Department of Nursing, Red Cross Nursing School, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Montserrat García-Sastre: Community Care and Social Determinants of Health (CUYDET), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, Universidad de Alcalá, 28804 Alcalá de Henares, Spain

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Background: Adolescence is a key period of development characterized by emotional, cognitive, and social changes that impact positive mental health (PMH). While social support is a well-established protective factor, cognitive and emotional processes, such as cognitive fusion and regulation of distress, also play a critical role. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship among various cognitive (i.e., cognitive fusion), emotional (i.e., regulation of distress), and social determinants (i.e., social support) in adolescents’ PMH, as their interplay could reflect theoretical models highlighting how these factors jointly shape adolescents’ mental health. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 505 adolescents (aged 13–15 years) in Spain. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing sociodemographic variables, cognitive fusion, regulation of distress, PMH, and social support from friends. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and mediation and moderated mediation models were conducted, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: Cognitive fusion was negatively correlated with regulation of distress, PMH, and social support, whereas regulation of distress showed a positive association with both PMH and social support. Mediation analysis indicated that regulation of distress significantly mediated the relationship between cognitive fusion and PMH. Furthermore, peer support moderated this mediated relationship: higher levels of support mitigated the negative impact of regulation of distress on PMH. Sociodemographic analyses revealed that girls, non-national students, and those receiving educational support showed less favorable outcomes. Conclusions: Cognitive, emotional, and social variables jointly influence adolescents’ PMH. Emotional regulation serves as a mediator of cognitive fusion and PMH, while social support from peers mediates the impact of psychological distress. Targeted interventions should prioritize emotional regulation strategies and enhancing peer support, especially among more vulnerable groups.

Keywords: adolescence; positive mental health; cognitive fusion; social support; regulation of distress; mediation effects; moderated mediation effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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