Emotional competence and family affluence in European adolescent mental health

Background

Socioeconomic conditions and emotional competence have both been proposed as relevant factors for adolescent mental health. The SUNRISE baseline assessment provides an opportunity to study both aspects in a large European adolescent sample.

Methods

Data from 1,978 adolescents aged 10–18 years across nine European regions were analysed. Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess how emotional competence and family affluence related to mental wellbeing and perceived stress.

Results

Emotional competence showed stronger associations with mental wellbeing and perceived stress than family affluence. Adolescents with higher emotional competence reported higher wellbeing (r = .632, p < .001) and lower perceived stress (r = -.370, p < .001). Family affluence was also related to higher wellbeing and lower stress, although the associations were small (r = .112 and r = -.079, respectively; both p < .001). Lower wellbeing was observed among adolescents with higher perceived stress (r = -.541, p < .001), older participants (r = -.349, p < .001), and girls compared with boys (50.85 vs. 55.44; Cohen’s d = .51).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that emotional competence should be considered alongside social and demographic factors in adolescent health promotion. Emotional skills may represent a relevant and potentially modifiable dimension for supporting wellbeing and stress management during adolescence. Differences by age and gender indicate that adolescent health promotion strategies may need to be adapted to specific groups.

EU funded (101136829)

Key messages

• Emotional competence showed the strongest link with adolescents’ wellbeing and stress.

• Family affluence mattered, but age, gender and emotional competence were more clearly related to mental health.