Relationship between psychological resilience and internalizing/externalizing behaviors in adolescents: the mediating role of anhedonia and ostracism

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by heightened vulnerability in psychological and behavioral domains. During this period, adverse experiences such as social ostracism, anhedonia, and behavioral problems are more prevalent and can significantly disrupt individual well-being. Interventions that fail to account for adolescents' developmental characteristics often remain ineffective. This study aims to contribute to the literature by examining the interrelationships among these variables through an integrated and holistic framework. METHODS: The research employed a correlational survey design and was conducted with high school students. Advanced statistical techniques were used to analyze the data, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the complex associations among the study variables. RESULTS: The findings revealed that adolescents' resilience negatively and indirectly influenced ostracism through anhedonia, and further affected both externalizing and internalizing behaviors indirectly and negatively through anhedonia and ostracism. Conversely, anhedonia was found to have an indirect and positive effect on externalizing and internalizing behaviors via ostracism. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that resilience serves as a protective factor, buffering adolescents against adverse emotional and social experiences. However, anhedonic tendencies were shown to weaken social relationships and exacerbate behavioral difficulties. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening protective factors such as psychological resilience in interventions designed for adolescents.