The Role of Coping Approaches in the Association Between Parent/Caregiver Mental Health Issues and Adolescents’ own Mental Health.
 
Authors Xiao Zhang, MA; Abnous Shahverdi, MPH; Eric Shanazari, MPH; Myriam Forster, PhD.
 
Department of Health Sciences, California State University, Northridge.
 
Abstract
 
:Background: Adolescent mental health is a major public health concern and the focus of this study.
 
Methods: GLMs assessed the association between parent/caregiver mental health issues and adolescents’ own mental health, and whether coping styles moderated this relationship. Data were survey responses (N=1,771) from Supporting Student Health and Resilience (SHARE) participants.
 
Results: A family history of depression (parents/caregivers) was associated with significantly higher odds of screening positive for depression (AOR:6.9, 95%CI:3.8, 9.7) and anxiety (IRR:1.2, 95%CI:1.1, 1.4) while active but not avoidant or negative coping skills were inversely associated with mental health. In fact, avoidant coping exacerbated the negative impact of parental mental illness on students’ mental health, after adjusting age, sex, ethnicity, state, and resource insecurity.
 
Discussion: Programs that foster active coping styles and decrease avoidant coping skills could have substantial benefits for vulnerable youths’ mental health status.