Social Connectedness Profiles and Psychological Distress Among Adolescents in Summer Care Programs: A Cluster Analysis Approach.

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the relationship between distinct adolescent social connectedness profiles and psychological distress in a summer care program.DesignA longitudinal design was employed to capture changes over 10 weeks in summer.SettingThe study was conducted in a community-based care program which provided weekday care over a 10-week summer period.SampleThe sample consisted of 47 adolescents aged 10-14 years attending a summer care program.MeasuresSocial connectedness was assessed using adult and peer subscales of the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness, while psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).AnalysisTwo-step cluster analysis was used to identify distinct social connectedness profiles, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) examined psychological distress patterns between profiles over time, controlling for age and sex.ResultsTwo profiles emerged from the analysis: "baseline bonders" (n = 21) with moderate-low connectedness scores, and "strong socializers" (n = 26) with high connectedness scores, particularly with adults. GEE analysis revealed a significant time-by-profile interaction (β = -4.42, P = .017). Baseline bonders showed significant improvement in psychological distress (initial M = 22.46, final M = 19.20), while strong socializers remained stable (initial M = 17.38, final M = 18.54).ConclusionDistinct social connectedness profiles were associated with differential program effects on psychological distress. Findings suggest the need to better understand connectedness and distress profiles and trajectories across summer programing.