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Differentiating three conceptualisations of the relationship between positive development and psychopathology during the transition to adulthood

journal contribution
posted on 2011-06-01, 00:00 authored by M O'Connor, A Sanson, Mary Hawkins, John ToumbourouJohn Toumbourou, Primrose LetcherPrimrose Letcher, E Frydenberg
The transition to adulthood is characterised by both great potential for positive change and a relatively high incidence of problem outcomes. A multidimensional model of positive development during the transition to adulthood (at 19-20 years) has recently been proposed. However, an unresolved question regarding the nature of positive development during this time is how best to conceptualise its relationship to psychopathology. We drew on data from 1158 participants in the Australian Temperament Project, a large longitudinal community-based study that has followed young people's psychosocial adjustment from infancy to early adulthood. Using structural equation modelling, we compared three models reflecting different conceptualisations of the relationship between positive development and psychopathology. The results suggest that positive development and psychopathology are best modelled as separate but correlated constructs. Hence, development in one domain is likely to influence the other, although separate and specific developmental pathways are also likely to be operating.

History

Journal

Journal of adolescence

Volume

34

Issue

3

Pagination

475 - 484

Publisher

Academic Press

Location

London, England

ISSN

0140-1971

eISSN

1095-9254

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2010, The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents