Longitudinal Prediction of Mental Health and Life Quality of Young Adults and Long-term Efficacy of a Universal Prevention Program

• Applicant: Dr. Ann-Katrin Job
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 426688701

For the prevention and treatment of psychological and behavior problems in young adults it is important to identify factors that are associated with the development and stability of these problems. Despite a good availability of data on the prevalence rates of mental disorders and their correlates in young adults, there are only few studies that analyzed the influence and the interaction of risk factors and resources longitudinally. Within the planned study we will collect data from about 360 parents and their children, who have been repeatedly assessed since kindergarten age. While the children were in adolescence at the last assessment in 2012 / 2013, they are already of full age (about 21-24 years) at this point in time. Accordingly, the planned project provides the opportunity of a longitudinal investigation to predict life satisfaction as well as mental disorders, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems as well as addictive behaviors in young adults. We will furthermore investigate the long-term efficacy of a preventive parent training program (Triple P) that had been conducted about 18 years ago. Besides, within the planned project, we will also focus on the current mental health of the parents. The prevalence rates and the development of psychological problems among young adults and their parents will be compared to the latest results of representative German studies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants