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Psychological Empowerment and Adolescent Health
Nicholas Szoko1, Daniela Brissett2, Casey D Hanner2
1Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Pediatrics
|May 19, 2025
Summary
Psychological empowerment in adolescents is linked to better mental and physical health outcomes. Higher empowerment was associated with reduced hopelessness, self-injury, substance use, and improved healthcare access.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Psychological Empowerment
- Mental Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Psychological empowerment, encompassing agency and self-efficacy, is crucial for adolescent social development.
- Research on psychological empowerment's role in adolescent health is limited.
- This study explores the connection between psychological empowerment and adolescent health indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between psychological empowerment and mental health in adolescents.
- To investigate the association between psychological empowerment and physical health in adolescents.
- To identify psychological empowerment as a potential protective factor for adolescent well-being.
Main Methods:
- School-based surveys were conducted in 17 high schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
- Psychological empowerment was measured using adapted items from a validated instrument.
- Multilevel regression models analyzed associations between psychological empowerment and health outcomes, including depressive symptoms, substance use, and healthcare receipt.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with high psychological empowerment reported less hopelessness, self-injury, and suicidal ideation.
- Psychological empowerment was inversely associated with lifetime use of e-cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana.
- Higher empowerment correlated with positive health perceptions, increased preventive care receipt, and decreased foregone care.
Conclusions:
- Psychological empowerment is a significant modifiable protective factor for adolescent mental and physical health.
- Interventions promoting psychological empowerment may enhance adolescent well-being.
- Findings highlight the importance of fostering agency and self-efficacy in youth health initiatives.
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