Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2026

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 26, 2011
School-Based Social Relationships and Adolescent Mental Health: A Multilevel and LASSO-Based Analysis
Mahdi Naeim1, Mohammad Narimani1, Niloofar Mikaeili1
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
Background:
This study examined associations between school-based social relationship quality (school belonging, peer support, teacher-student interaction) and mental health outcomes among high school students in Iran, identifying protective and risk factors for depression, anxiety, and stress.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024 among 1200 students from 32 public and private high schools in Tehran-Iran. Standardized measures were used to assess school belonging, perceived peer support from friends, teacher-student relationship quality, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Data were analyzed in R using multilevel mixed-effects models, quantile regression (50th and 90th percentiles), and LASSO-based variable selection (glmnet).
Results:
Higher school-based relationship quality was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress. Effects were stronger in public schools than private schools: Depression β = -1.727 versus -0.966; Anxiety β = -1.513 versus -0.819; Stress β = -1.601 versus -0.868. Academic stress was the strongest risk factor (β ≈ +1.60), followed by social media use (β ≈ +0.33). Socioeconomic status (SES) showed protective effects (β ≈ -0.72-0.81). Gender and age were minor; quantile regression showed stability.
Implications For School Health Policy:
Strengthening school belonging, peer support, and teacher-student relationships, reducing academic stress, and supporting low-SES students may improve mental health.
Conclusion:
School relationships are key protective factors, with stronger effects in public schools, supporting school-based interventions.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social Psychology and Individual Behavior
Social Relationships and Well-Being
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

