Emotional wellbeing in youth: A concept analysis

The aim of this concept analysis is to report a synthesis of the extant literature and define emotional wellbeing in youth as a concept of emerging importance.

Emotional wellbeing is a national research priority in the United States. It is not well defined nor understood in the context of its ontology, mechanisms, biomarkers, or promotion. As a result, interventional research cannot be adequately informed.

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to inform the sample.

The scientific databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, NCBI, Allied and Complementary Medicine, EMBASE, EBSCO, JAMAevidence, CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute, and Reporter were queried.

The Walker and Avant method was utilized to analyze the resultant sample for common themes of antecedents, attributes, and consequences of emotional wellbeing.

Seventeen scientific research studies were included in the final sample.

Attributes of emotional wellbeing in youth include overall positive emotions, positive self-esteem, and resilience. Antecedents are safe and stable nurturing relationships; family and social connectedness, hope, and positive body-image. The consequences of emotional wellbeing in youth include self-efficacy, self-actualization, the presence of positive health behaviors, and the absence of high-risk behaviors.