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A recent project aimed to study the mental health of adolescents aged 14 to 17 living in Spain and to analyze which support networks are important at this stage. To do so, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were combined, yielding several samples: a representative sample of 806 adolescents nationwide and an additional sample of 228 LGTBI+ adolescents for the survey and 44 LGTBQI+ participants in discussion groups.

The work is published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

The results show that 11.2% of adolescents in the overall sample reported feeling very or quite unhappy, and 38.8% indicated that they have experienced loneliness regularly in the past year. Regarding depression, 14% of the respondents reported experiencing severe episodes, and 6.6% reported experiencing very severe episodes.

Additionally, the study finds that 15.7% of respondents report having attempted suicide, 19.8% have considered it, and 29.3% have engaged in self-harming behaviors in the past year, of which 10.5% report thinking about it frequently.

The study also aimed to compare cisgender heterosexual adolescents with LGTBI+ adolescents and observed higher rates of harassment in the latter group. Results indicate that higher perceived violence and lower family, school and peer support are associated with increased depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and unwanted loneliness, and consequently with lower perceived happiness among adolescents.

"We found that LGTBI+ adolescents have significantly less connection with family and the school environment. Family rejection, peer bullying and microaggressions are associated with higher psychological distress in LGTBI+ adolescents, " explains Yolanda Pastor, lead researcher of the study and professor in the Department of Psychology at URJC.

Researchers from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya participated in this project, along with experts from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Universitat Jaume I, Alberto Hurtado University, and Universitat de Girona.

Support networks in adolescence

The main conclusions of the research emphasize the importance of support networks within the family, school environment, and peer group during adolescence as essential elements for good mental health.

One of the most important actors is the family. Family connectedness refers to the sense of belonging, affection, care, appreciation, and respect received and perceived from family members. It is essential because it provides a safe space that fosters the well-being of young people.

The second key connection refers to the school and students' perception of whether adults and peers in the school care not only about their learning and academic results but also about their personal experiences and well-being.

"Family and school support are the most influential factors, generating resilience and protection against peer violence and other adversities that sometimes occur, " highlights the URJC researcher.

This study also underscores that peer relationships are crucial during adolescence, as they act as protective factors against adversity. Healthy connections strengthen well-being and help adolescents cope with experiences of exclusion, especially when safe and inclusive spaces are created.

More information: Yolanda Pastor et al, School, family, and peer connectedness as protective factors for depression and suicide risk in Spanish adolescents, Frontiers in Psychology (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547759  Journal information: Frontiers in Psychology