Mental Health of the Polycrisis Generation
- Conditions
- Quality of LifeStressStress-related ProblemCumulative TraumaMental StressMental Health Issue
- Registration Number
- NCT06515704
- Lead Sponsor
- Jagiellonian University
- Brief Summary
The goal of this observational, longitudinal study is to identify risk and protective factors that buffer the effects of individual daily stress and adaptation to global crises on the quality of life and mental health conditions of young people entering adulthood (aged 18-29, fluent in Polish, and living in Poland). Moderators such as factors related to development, personality variables compatible with the domains according to ICD-11, psychological resilience, closeness in relationships with a partner/friends/parents, and the level of postformal thinking will also be considered.
The main hypotheses it aims to consider are:
H1: Poorer adaptation to individual and global crises is associated with higher levels of perceived stress, leading to worse indicators of mental health and quality of life.
H2: A higher level of implementation of developmental tasks, including more fulfilled criteria of adulthood and a mature identity, mitigates the relationship between stress/ crisis adaptation and health and quality of life indicators.
H3: Resilience and better relationships (closeness with a partner/ friends/ parents) buffer the negative effect of stress on health and quality of life.
H4: A higher level of postformal thinking mitigates the relationship between stress/ crisis adaptation and health and quality of life indicators.
H5: A higher intensity of psychopathological personality traits is a risk factor that amplifies the negative effect of stress on health and quality of life.
Researchers will analyze measurements taken from the same group (a representative sample of Polish young adults) at two time points - now and in 12 months. The aim is to observe the extent to which the effects of current daily stressors and adaptation to the crisis, as well as the effects of potential moderators, are relatively stable.
- Detailed Description
Background: The WHO and other international organizations clearly indicate the co-occurrence of multiple health problems and an increasing trend in the deterioration of mental health among young people. This is related to the experience of cumulative stress, generally referred to as a 'polycrisis', which involves the simultaneous occurrence of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, displacements and trauma resulting from the war in Ukraine, and climate change.
An additional factor is the stress of daily life and everyday challenges. These latter seem particularly important during the period when an individual faces some of the greatest challenges, such as entering young adulthood and taking on adult roles. However, there is a lack of studies analyzing the risk factors and protective factors that buffer the impact of contemporary cumulative stress on the mental health of young adults in different cultures (including Polish).
Participants: a representative population of 600 Polish young adults, aged 18-29.
Methodology: Analysis of data collected through psychological scales and questionnaires related to daily stress, adaptation to global crises, mental health conditions, quality of life, meeting mature developmental criteria, personality traits, resilience, closeness in relationships, and postformal thinking.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 600
- Age between 18 and 29 years
- Standard educational opportunities
- Polish fluent
- Polish nationality
- Intellectual disability
- Inability to self-complete the research questionnaires
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Personality Traits (PiCD) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD). The four-factor structure of the Polish version of PiCD consists of three unipolar factors as Negative Affectivity, Detachment, and Dissociality factors, and one bipolar Anankastia vs. Disinhibition factor. According to Polish standardization, symptom severity is indicated by scores above one standard deviation from the mean.
Closeness to partner/ friend questionnaire September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The Polish adaptation of the Closeness to Partner/Friend Questionnaire consists of 6 questions regarding the relationship with the partner. Relationships are assessed on a 5-point scale. The task of the respondent is to respond on a 5-point scale (1 means never, and 5 means always) to six questions concerning their relationship with the partner/friend. The task of the respondent is to respond on a 5-point scale (1 means never, and 5 means always) to six questions concerning their relationship with the partner/ friend.
Perceived Stress Scale (PPS-10) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The PSS-10 is used to measure perceived stress. It contains 10 questions related to various subjective feelings associated with personal problems and events, behaviors, and coping methods. It is used to assess the intensity of stress related to one's life situation over the past month. Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress.
The Resilience Measure Questionnaire (KOP-26) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 KOP-26, by Gąsior, Chodkiewicz and Cechowski, consists of 26 items referring to the protective factors linked with personal and social competences as well as family relations. Each of the three dimensions is measured by items assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. The higher the sum of points in a given area, the higher the competencies.
The Markers of Adulthood September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The scale for assessing the fulfillment of adulthood criteria according to Nelson and Barry in the areas of: independence, interdependence, role transitions, conformity to norms, biological transitions, chronological transitions, family potential, and subjective perception of adulthood. The scale is qualitative in nature. Five dimensions of identity development:
Exploration in breadth: Seeking alternatives for goals and values. Commitment making: Making choices and commitments. Exploration in depth: Evaluating commitments against personal standards. Identification with commitments: Confidence and internalization of choices. Ruminative exploration: Concerns and challenges in identity development, possibly indicating a crisis.Closeness to biological mother and father questionnaire September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The Polish adaptation of the Closeness to Biological Mother and Father Questionnaire consists of 6 questions regarding the relationship with the parent. Relationships with the mother and father are assessed separately each time on a 5-point scale.
The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The Polish adaptation of Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is the tool that allows for continuous assessment of subjective well-being (including its three aspects: emotional, psychological, and social), as well as for the categorical diagnosis of the presence of mental health and the absence of mental health (understood as flourishing and languishing). The answering scale is 6-points, and describes the frequency of experiencing various symptoms of well-being. The scale ranges from never to everyday (during the past month).
The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-PL) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The WHOQOL-PL is a Polish adaptation of the quality of life assessment developed by the WHOQOL Group, focusing on an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. The mean score of items within each domain is used to calculate the domain score. Domain scores are scaled in a positive directions (higher scores denote higher quality of life).
The International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 Polish version of IADQ is a brief, simply-worded measure, focusing only on the core features of Adjustment Disorder, and employs straightforward diagnostic rules. The IADQ was developed to be consistent with the organizing principles of the ICD-11, as set forth by the World Health Organization, which are to maximize clinical utility and ensure international applicability through a focus on the core symptoms of a given disorder. A probable diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder requires the presence of (1) a psychosocial stressor (score ≥ 1 on the IADQ stressor list, items 1-9), (2) at least one 'Preoccupation' symptom (items 10- 12) rated ≥ 2), (3) at least one 'Failure to Adapt' symptom (items 13-15) rated ≥ 2, (4) symptoms began within one month of the stressor (positive endorsement of item 16), and (5) evidence of functional impairment indicated by any of item 17-19 rated ≥ 2).
The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The DIDS is a scale measuring identity processes in five domains: exploration in breadth, commitment making, exploration in depth, identification with commitment, and ruminative exploration. Each of the five dimensions is measured by 5 items, assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. According to Polish standardization, symptom severity is indicated by scores above one standard deviation from the mean.
Daily Problems Test September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 The Daily Problems Test by Gurba is based on the method of Sebby and Papini, who in the original version used the clinical method proposed, among others, by Piaget, based on asking questions such as "what?" and "why?". The test consists of three problems, which are translations of sample tasks by Sebby and Papini, relevant for adolescents, young adults, and aging adults.
The International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) - POLI September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 Polish, brief, simply-worded measure, based on IADQ, focusing on emotional adaptation to daily stress events. The calculation algorithm of IADQ is being developed by the research team (standardization).
Authors survey September 01, 2024 until September 30, 2024 Survey of socio-demographic data (gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, family, relationships, socioeconomic status, place of residence, educational level, habits, attitudes, others).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Daily Problems Test September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The Daily Problems Test by Gurba is based on the method of Sebby and Papini, who in the original version used the clinical method proposed, among others, by Piaget, based on asking questions such as "what?" and "why?". The test consists of three problems, which are translations of sample tasks by Sebby and Papini, relevant for adolescents, young adults, and aging adults.
The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The DIDS is a scale measuring identity processes in five domains: exploration in breadth, commitment making, exploration in depth, identification with commitment, and ruminative exploration. Each of the five dimensions is measured by 5 items, assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. According to Polish standardization, symptom severity is indicated by scores above one standard deviation from the mean.
Closeness to partner/ friend questionnaire September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The Polish adaptation of the Closeness to Partner/Friend Questionnaire consists of 6 questions regarding the relationship with the partner. Relationships are assessed on a 5-point scale. The task of the respondent is to respond on a 5-point scale (1 means never, and 5 means always) to six questions concerning their relationship with the partner/friend.
The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-PL) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The WHOQOL-PL is a Polish adaptation of the quality of life assessment developed by the WHOQOL Group, focusing on an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns.
Perceived Stress Scale (PPS-10) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The PSS-10 is used to measure perceived stress. It contains 10 questions related to various subjective feelings associated with personal problems and events, behaviors, and coping methods. It is used to assess the intensity of stress related to one's life situation over the past month. Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress.
Personality Traits (PiCD) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD). The four-factor structure of the Polish version of PiCD consists of three unipolar factors as Negative Affectivity, Detachment, and Dissociality factors, and one bipolar Anankastia vs. Disinhibition factor. According to Polish standardization, symptom severity is indicated by scores above one standard deviation from the mean.
The Resilience Measure Questionnaire (KOP-26) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 KOP-26, by Gąsior, Chodkiewicz and Cechowski, consists of 26 items referring to the protective factors linked with personal and social competences as well as family relations. Each of the three dimensions is measured by items assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. The higher the sum of points in a given area, the higher the competencies.
The International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 Polish version of IADQ is a brief, simply-worded measure, focusing only on the core features of Adjustment Disorder, and employs straightforward diagnostic rules. The IADQ was developed to be consistent with the organizing principles of the ICD-11, as set forth by the World Health Organization, which are to maximize clinical utility and ensure international applicability through a focus on the core symptoms of a given disorder. A probable diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder requires the presence of (1) a psychosocial stressor (score ≥ 1 on the IADQ stressor list, items 1-9), (2) at least one 'Preoccupation' symptom (items 10- 12) rated ≥ 2), (3) at least one 'Failure to Adapt' symptom (items 13-15) rated ≥ 2, (4) symptoms began within one month of the stressor (positive endorsement of item 16), and (5) evidence of functional impairment indicated by any of item 17-19 rated ≥ 2).
The International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) - POLI September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 Polish, brief, simply-worded measure, based on IADQ, focusing on emotional adaptation to daily stress events. The calculation algorithm of IADQ is being developed by the research team (standardization).
Closeness to biological mother and father questionnaire September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The Polish adaptation of the Closeness to Biological Mother and Father Questionnaire consists of 6 questions regarding the relationship with the parent. Relationships with the mother and father are assessed separately each time on a 5-point scale. The task of the respondent is to respond on a 5-point scale (1 means never, and 5 means always) to six questions concerning their relationship with the parent.
The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The Polish adaptation of Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is the tool that allows for continuous assessment of subjective well-being (including its three aspects: emotional, psychological, and social), as well as for the categorical diagnosis of the presence of mental health and the absence of mental health (understood as flourishing and languishing). The answering scale is 6-points, and describes the frequency of experiencing various symptoms of well-being. The scale ranges from never to everyday (during the past month). The mean score of items within each domain is used to calculate the domain score. Domain scores are scaled in a positive directions (higher scores denote higher quality of life).
The Markers of Adulthood September 30, 2025 until October 30, 2025 The scale for assessing the fulfillment of adulthood criteria according to Nelson and Barry in the areas of: independence, interdependence, role transitions, conformity to norms, biological transitions, chronological transitions, family potential, and subjective perception of adulthood. The scale is qualitative in nature. Five dimensions of identity development:
Exploration in breadth: Seeking alternatives for goals and values. Commitment making: Making choices and commitments. Exploration in depth: Evaluating commitments against personal standards. Identification with commitments: Confidence and internalization of choices. Ruminative exploration: Concerns and challenges in identity development, possibly indicating a crisis.
Trial Locations
- Locations (2)
Behaviour in Crisis Lab, Jagiellonian University
🇵🇱Krakow, Poland
Behaviour in Crisis Lab, Impact of cumulative stress on the mental health of young people project, Jagiellonian University in Krakow
🇵🇱Krakow, Poland