Effects of Mental Illness Exposure From Parents and Friends on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being

Youth exposure to mental illness in family or friends is a known risk fac-tor of internalizing disorders. The current study examines the relation-ship between mental illness exposure and adolescents' mental health and well-being in a cross-sectional school -based population using all self-report measures. Multilevel modelling was used to estimate adjusted effect of mental illness exposure on mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, well-being, and quality of life. The results indicated that there are statistically significant associa-tions between mental illness exposure (through parents only, friends only, both, or none) and adolescent men-tal health. Compared to adolescents who had no exposure, depression and anxiety were significantly higher for those who had exposure through par-ents only, friends only, or both. They also had significantly lower well-being and quality of life. This study provides insight into how exposure to mental illness through friends or parents re-lates to adolescents' mental health. [Psychiatr Ann. 2023;53(5):228-235.]