Exploring Stressful Life Events, Psychological Distress and Narrative Identity in a Clinical Sample of Youth

Abstract

Previous research links stressful life events to externalizing and internalizing psychopathology in adolescents in the general population and community samples. However, this relation has not been studied in clinical youth populations. Given individual differences in susceptibility to distress, identifying protective factors is crucial. Narrative identity, the subjective life story individuals construct, may foster resilience by shaping how experiences are understood. Agency and communion, aspects of narrative identity, may serve as psychological buffers following stressful life events. The present study examined stressful life events and psychological distress in a clinical sample of adolescents, and whether narrative identity moderated this relation. It was hypothesized that stressful life events would be positively associated with distress, and that narratives high in agency and communion would buffer this relation. Data were used from 306 Dutch adolescents and young adults (Mage = 19.78, SD = 1.87; 226 female, 79 male, 1 other/non-binary), all referred for outpatient mental health care. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires and a Turning Point Interview. Multiple linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Results confirmed that more stressful life events were associated with higher psychological distress. Contrary to expectations, neither agency nor communion moderated this relation. However, higher agency was directly associated with lower distress, while communion showed no association. These findings highlight the need for researchers and clinicians to consider stressful life events in relation to youth well-being. While further research is warranted, strengthening adolescents’ sense of agency in their personal narratives may offer a promising direction for intervention.