Predictors of adolescents’ perceptions of feeling unsafe and mental health
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Adolescents' perceptions of safety in school environments are critical to their mental health and overall well-being. This study examines the predictors of safety perceptions and explores whether school connectedness mediates the relationship between these predictors and mental health, using Social Support Theory as a framework. Data were drawn from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). A nationally representative sample of 17,232 high school students (ages 14–18) completed anonymous self-report measures on victimization (e.g., bullying, forced sexual intercourse), substance use, parental monitoring, and school connectedness. Mental health was assessed based on self-reported status. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic variables, while generalized linear models and mediation analysis examined relationships between predictors, perceptions of safety, and mental health outcomes. School connectedness mediated the relationship between bullying, forced sexual intercourse, marijuana use, parental monitoring, and mental health outcomes (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). Adolescents with stronger school connectedness reported better mental health, even in the presence of victimization or substance use. Additionally, gender, race, and sexual identity significantly impacted perceptions of safety, with non-heterosexual and racial minority students reporting greater feelings of unsafety and poorer mental health outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of school connectedness and social support in shaping adolescents' safety perceptions and mental health. Enhancing supportive environments in schools may help reduce the psychological burden associated with victimization and promote adolescent well-being.
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,470
OpenAlex ID: W4412793733