This study aimed to assess the impact of sources of social support and dimensions of self-efficacy on psychological symptoms and mental wellbeing among early adolescents. A total of 274 adolescents aged 10–14 from Darjeeling, India, participated in the study. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) were utilized to assess dimensions of protective/promotive factors. Nested multivariable regression models assessed associations between age, gender, social support, and self-efficacy on psychological symptoms (internalising, externalising, and total difficulties) and mental wellbeing outcomes (mental wellbeing, optimism, and resilience). Results indicated that 13% of early adolescents screened positive for clinical depression and 44% reported poor mental wellbeing. Emotional and academic self-efficacy, along with family support, were significantly associated with reduced psychological symptoms. Conversely, social, and academic self-efficacy, along with support from friends, were linked to higher levels of mental wellbeing. Regression analyses revealed that dimensions of social support and self-efficacy explained a greater proportion of variability in mental wellbeing outcomes (R² = 0.37–0.64) than in psychological symptom outcomes (R² = 0.19–0.22), suggesting a stronger promotive effect on mental wellbeing compared to a protective effect on psychological symptoms during early adolescence. Findings suggest the urgent need for early mental health intervention to strengthen systems of social support and support self-efficacy among early adolescents. Multi-level or sequential interventions that target protective and promotive factors are a key strategy to addressing the global youth mental health crisis.

This study examined the factor structure of the Kidcope and its associations with social support, psychological symptoms, and mental wellbeing among early adolescents (ages 10–14) in Darjeeling, India. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure: control-oriented and escape-oriented coping. Multivariable regression and structural equation models indicated escape-oriented coping was associated with higher emotional symptoms (b = 3.19; p ≤ 0.001) and peer problems (b = 1.43; p ≤ 0.003), whereas control-oriented coping was linked with lower conduct problems (b = −1.11; p = 0.006), and hyperactivity (b = −1.28; p = 0.001). Control-oriented coping also correlated with higher mental wellbeing (b = 11.59; p = 0.004), prosocial behavior (b = 0.50; p ≤ 0.001), and resilience (b = 4.49; p ≤ 0.001). Results suggest control-oriented coping mediates 23% of the total effect of social support on psychological difficulties and 15% on resilience. Findings highlight early adolescence as a sensitive window for strengthening coping skills to protect mental health and enhance wellbeing in high-adversity settings.

Background. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is widely used, although it has not been validated among early adolescents in Darjeeling, India. The aims of the study were to validate the psychometric properties of the MSPSS, and to test for measurement invariance by gender. Methods. Survey data was collected from 274 early adolescents ages 10–14 living in Darjeeling, India. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evaluated 1-, 2-, and 3-factor models. Reliability (Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω), convergent (peer problems), and concurrent validity (prosocial behavior) were assessed. Measurement invariance by gender was tested using multi-group CFA. Results. The three-factor model of the MSPSS (Family, Friends, Significant Other) fit these data well (X²[49] = 69.3, p = 0.030; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.039; SRMR = 0.036). Measures of reliability, concurrent, and convergent validity were good with MSPSS scores correlated positively with prosocial behavior and negatively with peer problems (|r| = 0.30–0.45, p ≤ 0.001). Configural invariance by gender was not supported, indicating differences in item-level loadings. Limitations. The MSPSS is a self-report measure, and social desirability bias is a potential limitation. Conclusion. The MSPSS demonstrates good reliability and validity among early adolescents in Darjeeling, India. Given non-invariance by gender, subscale comparisons across boys and girls should be interpreted with caution.