This study examines the
association between psychopathological problems and future expectations in
Spanish early adolescents. Participants were 781 students (48.5% female) from
11 secondary schools, aged 11 - 15 years (M = 12.37, SD = 0.66). The students were of
middle and middle-low socioeconomic status. Participants with higher levels of
psychopathological problems (emotional and behavioral problems) had lower
future expectations. Regression analysis confirmed that certain
psychopathological dimensions (anxious/depressed, delinquent behavior, thought
problems, social problems) predict some variability of future expectations in
early adolescence. The main contribution of this research is to further our
comprehension of the development of adolescents’ future expectations and the
way in which psychopathological problems have an impact on such development.
Future expectations are an important protective factor for healthy development
in adolescence, as thinking about the future motivates everyday behavior and
influences choices, decisions, and future activities. This paper emphasizes the
need for preventive intervention, and at early ages, on cognitive processes
related to the future temporal perspective in cases of psychopathological
problems.
Cite this paper
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