The Key to Mental Health in Youth: Positive Psychological States Beyond Negative Thoughts

The latest research of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University delves deep into factors related to mental health by examining the psychological well-being of young people. The study highlights the importance of positive psychological states on mental health, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive understanding of young people's mental health. The research developed and evaluated the Turkish version of the Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving for Youth (CIT-Y) inventory to better understand positive states when assessing the mental health of young people. The study, based on data from 469 young people aged 11 to 15, explored how psychological well-being interacts with positive and negative psychological states. The findings suggest that young people experiencing internalizing and externalizing problems have lower levels of positive psychological states but higher levels of negative psychological states. Researchers emphasize the importance of understanding both positive and negative psychological states when evaluating young people's mental health, as promoting positive psychological states plays a critical role in improving their quality of life. This research aims to develop policies to support young people's well-being and enhance mental health services.