About this srcd poster session

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Panel information
Panel 6. Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

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Adolescence is a critical period of development characterized by rapid physical, emotional, and psychological changes. During this time, young people begin to develop autonomy and make plans for their future that are driven by educational, vocational, and other aspirations for the future (Arnett, 2001; Mehta & LaRiviere, 2023). By adolescence, most individuals possess a variety of possible future outcomes that they see as viable options for themselves (Schoon & Parsons, 2002; Gottfredson, 1981), which can introduce a sense of pressure and/or distress regarding their future paths. Simultaneously, adolescence is a time when individuals are particularly susceptible to mental health challenges, with anxiety and depression being among the most prevalent issues (Costello et al., 2003; Kessler et al., 2007). While existing research has examined the onset of these mental health concerns, less is known about how internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, relate to adolescents' expectations for the future.
The current study explores relations between internalizing symptoms and adolescents' future expectations. As part of the Study of Teen Experiences that Promote Success (STEPS), an ongoing longitudinal study drawn from a highly socio-demographically diverse sample, adolescents aged 13-15 (N = 106 enrolled to date, Mage = 14.7, SDage = 1.93) completed self-report measures of internalizing and externalizing symptoms at wave 1 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Four months later, adolescents’ future expectations were assessed at wave 2 using the Teen Expectations for the Future measure, which explored a broad range of future aspirations beyond educational expectations, which have been the narrow focus of existing research on expectations. Specifically, adolescents were asked how likely they felt they would experience different positive (e.g., live past age 35, live a happy life) and negative (e.g., be incarcerated, dropout of high school) events in the future.
Separate regression analyses were performed to assess associations between internalizing and problems and positive and negative expectations for the future. We controlled for externalizing problems to parse associations between internalizing, specifically, as opposed to mental health issues more generally. We also controlled for race/ethnicity and sex at birth. Results showed that internalizing symptoms related to lower positive expectations about the future (β = -0.29, p < 0.001; Table 1), while externalizing behaviors were unrelated to positive expectations. In contrast, neither internalizing nor externalizing problems were significantly linked to negative future expectations.
These preliminary findings suggest the importance of adolescent internalizing symptoms in terms of shaping their future outlooks. Future directions should include exploring other factors, excluding race and sex, that may moderate this relation. As this study moves forward, cross-lag models will be run to examine bidirectional associations between internalizing problems and future expectations. Additionally, since this study is ongoing, the models will be extended to include all participants with valid wave 1 and wave 2 data, which will strengthen statistical power.

Author information

Author	Role
Terrique Morris, Duke University	Presenting author
Terrique Morris, Darin Fields, Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal PhD., Christina Gibson-Davis PhD., Jamie Henson PhD., Emily Jones PhD., Christina Gibson-Davis PhD., Portia Miller, PhD., University of Pittsburgh; Duke University	Non-presenting author

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