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The relationship between perception of well-being and depression among adolescents in Jordan: using PERMA model as a theoretical framework

Bushra Ghannam (The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan)
Husam Al Khatib (Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan)
Abeer Alzayyat (Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Balqa, Jordan)
Ayman Hamdan Mansour (Department of Psychiatric Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan)

Mental Health and Social Inclusion

ISSN: 2042-8308

Article publication date: 26 May 2023

Issue publication date: 2 December 2024

216

Abstract

Purpose

Adolescence is a developmental stage of transition that is marked by multiple biopsychosocial changes that affect their well- and ill-being. This study aims to examine the multidimensional of well- and ill-being among adolescents, and to understand the relationship between well-being and depression using the PERMA model among school-age adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to recruit 625 school-age adolescents (343 males and 282 females), using convenience sampling technique from the central district of Jordan. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data in relation to depression and well-being.

Findings

The analysis revealed that 32% had a well-being score below the median and 19% had severe depressive symptoms. Depression and well-being were moderately correlated, with the connectedness dimension being the most correlated to depression, whereas the engagement dimension was the least correlated. Females had higher scores on all subscales of depression and a significantly higher score on depression than males, whereas males had higher scores on all well-being dimensions and significantly higher scores on overall well-being than females.

Research limitations/implications

Adolescents’ mental health is compromised and affected by their perception of well-being, and a comprehensive psychoeducation for adolescents on how to enhance well-being might combat development of depressive symptoms.

Originality/value

This study used all PERMA model components to provide an in-depth description of adolescents’ well-being, which is a crucial initial phase in better understanding how this age group experiences well-being and how it connects to their ill-being, as indicated by their depressive symptoms. The in-depth description of adolescents’ well-being will aid in planning early intervention and prevention programs for mental illness.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of PhD requirement. The authors acknowledge the support of School of Nursing at the University of Jordan.

Disclosure statement: The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Source of funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Citation

Ghannam, B., Al Khatib, H., Alzayyat, A. and Hamdan Mansour, A. (2024), "The relationship between perception of well-being and depression among adolescents in Jordan: using PERMA model as a theoretical framework", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 604-616. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2023-0047

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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