Resilience in Adolescence: Exploring the Role of Grit, Humor Styles, Gratitude, and Self-Compassion in Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

Mental health problems (MHP) are thought to affect 14% of teenagers worldwide between the ages of 10 and 19, and they are often left untreated (WHO, 2024).  The WHO (2024) states that mental health initiatives should focus on enhancing people's ability to control their emotions, providing alternatives to risky behaviors, fostering resilient adversity management, and fostering supportive social networks and settings. This scholarly effort intends to identify variables that promote mental health and alleviate psychological symptoms among adolescents. Specifically, this study examines the associations between gratitude, grit, self-compassion, humor styles, and mental health problems. Data were collected from 184 participants (116 males and 68 females) aged between 13 and 19 years. Participants completed the General Health Questionnaire–30, Grit Scale, Gratitude Questionnaire, Child Humor Styles Questionnaire, and Self-Compassion Scale–Youth. Analysis of the responses was done using correlation and stepwise regression analyses. The findings revealed that gratitude, grit, and self-compassion were all inversely correlated with MHP, whereas an aggressive humor style was positively associated with MHP. Stepwise regression analysis identified self-compassion as the strongest negative predictor of MHP (R² = .19, F = 43.50, p < .01, β = –.32), followed by grit and, subsequently, gratitude. Collectively, these three variables accounted for 29% of the total variance in mental health problems (R² = .29, F = 24.15, p < .01, β = –.20). These findings suggest that gratitude, grit, self-compassion, and humor styles may all contribute to improved mental health among adolescents. Therefore, mental health promotion and prevention programs should consider incorporating these variables when designing interventions.