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Connectedness to Family, School, and Neighborhood and Adolescents’ Internalizing Symptoms

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  • Danielle R. Eugene

    (School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

Abstract

In the U.S., there is a strong national interest in social connectedness as a key determinant in promoting positive well-being in adolescents through building strong bonds and creating protective relationships that support adolescent mental health. To this end, this study examined whether, and to what extent, specific types of connectedness to family, school, and neighborhood were associated with internalizing symptoms (i.e., depression and anxiety) among a diverse sample of adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds. The sample ( n = 2590) was majority male (51%), with an average age of 15.6 years, and identified as Black (49%) and Hispanic/Latino (26%). The results revealed that adolescents who reported strong connections to their parent ( β = −0.128, p < 0.001), school ( β = −0.222, p < 0.001), and neighborhood ( β = −0.116, p = 0.003) were more likely to report lower levels of depressive symptomology, with school connectedness exerting a greater influence. In addition, parent connectedness ( β = −0.157, p < 0.001) and school connectedness ( β = −0.166, p < 0.001) were significantly related to teen anxiety; however, neighborhood connectedness was not ( β = −0.123, p = 0.087). The findings have important implications, which are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Danielle R. Eugene, 2021. "Connectedness to Family, School, and Neighborhood and Adolescents’ Internalizing Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12602-:d:691228
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Foster, Cynthia Ewell & Horwitz, Adam & Thomas, Alvin & Opperman, Kiel & Gipson, Polly & Burnside, Amanda & Stone, Deborah M. & King, Cheryl A., 2017. "Connectedness to family, school, peers, and community in socially vulnerable adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 321-331.
    2. Letizia Caso & Andrea Greco & Eleonora Florio & Nicola Palena, 2021. "Assessment of Family, Peers, and Externalising Behaviour Dimensions in Adolescence: The Proposal of a Comprehensive Instrument (FPEB)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Reichman, Nancy E. & Teitler, Julien O. & Garfinkel, Irwin & McLanahan, Sara S., 2001. "Fragile Families: sample and design," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(4-5), pages 303-326.
    4. Danielle R. Eugene & Jandel Crutchfield & Erica D. Robinson, 2021. "An Examination of Peer Victimization and Internalizing Problems through a Racial Equity Lens: Does School Connectedness Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nor Azzatunnisak Mohd Khatib & AbRahman Roseliza-Murni & Suzana Mohd Hoesni & Jamiah Manap, 2022. "Adolescent Connectedness: Testing Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Hemingway: Measure of Adolescent Connectedness–Bahasa Melayu Version (HMAC–BM)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Nagisa Mori & Azusa Arimoto & Etsuko Tadaka, 2022. "Exploring an Applied Ecological Model of the Effects of Household, School, and Community Environments on Adolescent Mental Health in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.

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