Emotional wellbeing in youth: A concept analysis.

AIM: The aim of this concept analysis is to report a synthesis of the extant literature and define emotional wellbeing in youth as a concept of emerging importance. BACKGROUND: Emotional wellbeing is a national research priority in the United States. It is not well defined nor understood in the context of its ontology, mechanisms, biomarkers, or promotion. As a result, interventional research cannot be adequately informed. DESIGN: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to inform the sample. DATA SOURCE: The scientific databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, NCBI, Allied and Complementary Medicine, EMBASE, EBSCO, JAMAevidence, CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute, and Reporter were queried. REVIEW METHODS: The Walker and Avant method was utilized to analyze the resultant sample for common themes of antecedents, attributes, and consequences of emotional wellbeing. RESULTS: Seventeen scientific research studies were included in the final sample. CONCLUSION: Attributes of emotional wellbeing in youth include overall positive emotions, positive self-esteem, and resilience. Antecedents are safe and stable nurturing relationships; family and social connectedness, hope, and positive body-image. The consequences of emotional wellbeing in youth include self-efficacy, self-actualization, the presence of positive health behaviors, and the absence of high-risk behaviors.