Graduation Year

2006

Document Type

Ed. Specalist

Degree

Ed.S.

Degree Granting Department

Interdisciplinary Education

Major Professor

Shannon M. Suldo, Ph.D.

Keywords

Psychopathology, Positive psychology, Subjective well-being, Physical functioning, Youth

Abstract

This study investigated the mental and physical health of early adolescents (n = 339) using a dual-factor model of mental health. When employing a dual-factor model, mental well-being is not simply assumed from the absence of negative indicators of mental health (psychopathology). Rather, assessments of positive indicators of mental health (subjective well-being) are used to determine one's level of mental wellness. The current study tested the existence of a dual-factor model of mental health by examining the separability of participants' reports of subjective well-being and psychopathology. Specifically, the researcher hypothesized that the assessment of both of these constructs would result in multiple mental health classifications, beyond that of the continuum found with only the assessment of psychopathology (i.e., low to high psychopathology). Findings from this study support the classifications of four mental health groups using measures of subjective well-being and psychopathology. In addition, significant differences in physical health outcomes were found among participants in the different mental health groups. These findings support the existence of a dual-factor model of mental health, and suggest the need for assessment of both negative and positive indicators of functioning in order to accurately estimate adolescents' physical health.

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