Psychopathological Risk During Adolescent Study-Abroad: A Larger-Cohort Update of a Previous Longitudinal Study

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:	European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education vol. 15, no. 10 (2025), p. 210-227
Autor principal:	Cimino, Silvia
Otros Autores:	Cerniglia Luca
Publicado:	MDPI AG
Materias:	Study abroad Child development Students Anxiety Psychopathology Adolescence Teachers Culture shock Longitudinal studies Coping Adjustment Teenagers Loneliness Teaching Experience Secondary Education Supervision School Desegregation Statistical Significance Student Exchange Programs Social Problems Teacher Evaluation Social Adjustment Eating Disorders Early Adolescents Security (Psychology) Culture Conflict Psychological Patterns Individual Differences Maximum Likelihood Statistics Growth Models Secondary School Students Outcomes of Education Aggression Exchange Programs Behavior Problems
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Descripción
Resumen:	This article updates and extends a prior longitudinal study on adolescents’ psychological adjustment during short-term study-abroad programs, analyzing a newly collected larger cohort with the same design and measures. Using the same assessment schedule (pre-departure, mid-sojourn, post-return) with a larger cohort, we confirmed the adequate reliability and longitudinal comparability of the Teacher’s Report Form. Mean-level analyses replicated earlier patterns: internalizing symptoms increased during the sojourn and remained elevated at reentry, whereas externalizing problems followed an inverted-U, rising abroad and returning to baseline after return. Person-centered models identified three trajectory classes for both domains: a low-stable group, a transient-elevated group showing a mid-sojourn spike with subsequent recovery, and a small high-persistent group with enduring elevations. Clinical threshold transitions showed a temporary mid-sojourn rise in borderline/clinical cases for both domains, with partial normalization after return. Reliable-change estimates further distinguished transient from sustained change. Together, the findings characterize studying abroad as a moderate, time-bound stressor for most adolescents, with a minority at persistent risk. The implications of these findings include suggestions for front-loaded and reentry supports, pre-departure screening, and targeted mid-sojourn monitoring. The strengths include longitudinal measurement invariance and person-centered modeling; the limitations include teacher-only reports and a short post-return follow-up.
ISSN:	2174-8144 2254-9625
DOI:	10.3390/ejihpe15100210
Fuente:	Psychology Collection