Having a Trusted Adult in School: Concurrent and Predictive Relations With Internalizing Problems Across Development

Abstract

Internalizing problems are common mental health concerns among children and youth. Identifying malleable risk factors that are associated with internalizing problems, such as not having a trusted adult at school, can lead to positive behavior supports to reduce student risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between student-reported internalizing problems and having an adult to talk to at school. Students in elementary, middle, and high school ( N = 13,881) in the Midwestern United States provided self-report data about their internalizing symptoms and whether they had an adult to talk to at school if they had a problem. Participants were 51% male and 72% White; 40% qualified for free or reduced lunch and 12% were in special education. A series of growth models revealed that not having a trusted adult at school was a strong risk factor for internalizing symptoms over the school year. Moreover, lack of a trusted adult was associated with worsening internalizing symptoms over time for middle and high school students. The findings have implications for identifying students and planning supports to alleviate this risk.