Who is doing well: age 15 predictors of psychological and physical health in young adulthood

Abstract

Objective: According to Diener (1984), wellbeing is a multi‐faceted concept reflecting satisfaction with life, good physical health, and fewer negative psychological symptoms. Using data from a 10‐year longitudinal study of school leavers (n = 390), we examine whether people aged 25 can be differentiated into clusters based on indicators of wellbeing, then whether membership in the healthy as opposed to the less healthy cluster can be predicted by age 15 variables. Method: Tested predictor variables at age 15 captured the major influences in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory (1979) including individual, family, and social influences. Young adults (age 25) were differentiated into two clusters based on indicators of mental health and subjective wellbeing. Results: Poorer health, self‐image, family functioning, and peer relations at age 15 predicted poorer overall wellbeing at age 25. Conclusions: Results underscore the potential value of psychological support for adolescents within the school environment and the early identification of individuals at risk of problems which may persist into adulthood.