A Latent Profile Analysis of Psychological Functioning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Adolescents' Perceived Social Support and Lifestyle Behaviours

Abstract

Research highlights notable concerns about adolescents' psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to its association with overall adjustment. Identifying adolescent profiles based on psychological distress risk levels is crucial for developing effective support strategies. This study, conducted with N = 579 adolescents (M_age = 15.97, SD = 1.52), employed a person-centred approach, using the latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct psychological functioning profiles during the pandemic. Three profiles emerged, including low-risk, mild-risk, and high-risk subgroups, characterised by varying configurations of psychological functioning. The high-risk subgroup (19.5% of participants) exhibited elevated levels of mental health problems, loneliness, fear of COVID-19, stress, and negative affect, alongside lower positivity and positive affect. The mild-risk subgroup (46.8%) demonstrated intermediate scores in the study variables, while the low-risk subgroup (33.7%) showed the most positive psychological functioning. Differences in perceived social support and lifestyle behaviours were explored among these subgroups. Results showed that the high-risk subgroup reported lower social support and greater sleep problems, smartphone addiction, and daytime spent on smartphones than the other subgroups. The study underscores the importance of considering the varying risk levels related to adolescents' psychological functioning during emergencies and tailoring interventions to support diverse psychological profiles.