Academic Journal
The Utility of Psychological Capital Theory in Rural Adolescent Mental Health Research.
| Title: | The Utility of Psychological Capital Theory in Rural Adolescent Mental Health Research. |
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| Authors: | Preston AJ; School of Nursing, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.; School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA., Rew L; School of Nursing, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA., Young CC; School of Nursing, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA., Lowe J; School of Nursing, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA., Song H; School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA. |
| Source: | Clinical child psychology and psychiatry [Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry] 2026 Oct; Vol. 31 (4), pp. 1374-1388. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Mar 13. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Sage Publications Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9604507 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1461-7021 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13591045 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London ; Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications, 1996- |
| MeSH Terms: | Rural Population*/statistics & numerical data , Optimism*/psychology , Anxiety*/psychology , Resilience, Psychological* , Self Efficacy* , Hope* , Mental Health* , Psychological Theory*, Humans ; Adolescent ; Female ; Male ; Psychological Well-Being ; United States ; Gender-Nonconforming Persons |
| Abstract: | BackgroundVery few studies have been conducted to explore psychological capital (combined hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism known as PsyCap) and mental health among rural U.S. adolescents.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between PsyCap and mental health using a health equity lens.MethodsA sample of 59 rural U.S. adolescents completed the survey packet. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted on the RStudio platform.FindingsPsyCap was significantly associated with wellbeing and anxiety. Non-binary adolescents reported significantly lower PsyCap. While the overall sample reported perceived rejection above the national norm, non-binary adolescents reported the highest levels.DiscussionPsychological capital theory served as a useful framework for exploring mental health among rural adolescents. More research needs to be conducted with large inclusive samples of rural adolescents who live on the margins. Examination of mental health services in rural settings should be considered. |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: anxiety; hope; optimism; resilience; rural mental health; self-efficacy; stigma; theory; wellbeing; youth Local Abstract: [plain-language-summary] Psychological Capital Theory, along with aspects of Minority Stress Theory, is useful for exploring mental health among rural adolescents.• Higher psychological capital is associated with stronger in-group identity among rural adolescents.• Non-binary adolescents report significantly higher perceived rejection and lower psychological capital than male and female adolescents.• Psychological capital is significantly associated with mental health among rural adolescents.• Rural adolescents report higher levels of perceived rejection than the general population. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260313 Date Completed: 20260929 Latest Revision: 20261001 |
| Update Code: | 20261001 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13620423 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13591045261434614 |
| PMID: | 41824755 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1461-7021 |
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| DOI: | 10.1177/13591045261434614 |