Predictors of adolescents’ perceptions of feeling unsafe and mental health

• School connectedness mediates safety and mental health: Stronger school connectedness reduces the negative effects of victimization and substance use on adolescents' mental health. • Disparities in safety perceptions: Non-heterosexual and racial minority students report feeling less safe at school, leading to poorer mental health outcomes. • Impact of victimization: Experiences such as bullying and forced sexual encounters strongly predict feelings of unsafety and poorer mental health among adolescents. • Policy implications: Inclusive environments, trauma-informed practices, and anti-bullying initiatives are critical for improving school safety and mental health. Adolescents' perceptions of safety in school environments are critical to their mental health and overall well-being. This study examines the predictors of safety perceptions and explores whether school connectedness mediates the relationship between these predictors and mental health, using Social Support Theory as a framework. Data were drawn from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). A nationally representative sample of 17,232 high school students (ages 14–18) completed anonymous self-report measures on victimization (e.g., bullying, forced sexual intercourse), substance use, parental monitoring, and school connectedness. Mental health was assessed based on self-reported status. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic variables, while generalized linear models and mediation analysis examined relationships between predictors, perceptions of safety, and mental health outcomes. School connectedness mediated the relationship between bullying, forced sexual intercourse, marijuana use, parental monitoring, and mental health outcomes (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). Adolescents with stronger school connectedness reported better mental health, even in the presence of victimization or substance use. Additionally, gender, race, and sexual identity significantly impacted perceptions of safety, with non-heterosexual and racial minority students reporting greater feelings of unsafety and poorer mental health outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of school connectedness and social support in shaping adolescents' safety perceptions and mental health. Enhancing supportive environments in schools may help reduce the psychological burden associated with victimization and promote adolescent well-being.