About this Research Topic

Background

Mental health challenges can occur across the life span, however, specific transitional events may trigger or exacerbate mental health issues, making these transitions an important opportunity to implement positive mental health practices and interventions. The transition into higher education and the workforce presents a significant amount of stress and anxiety in many adolescents. Social support systems, as well as teaching and promoting self-identity and emotional regulation, play a vital role in buffering against mental health challenges faced during emerging adulthood. The impact of social media and digital communication tends to have greater implications for mental well-being during this time, underscoring the relevance of digital mental health approaches for those experiencing significant life transitions. Parenthood is another major life transition, and mental health challenges related to pregnancy, postpartum depression, and parenting stress require targeted support and interventions, particularly for working parents. Parents of children with special needs or behavioral issues require specific coping strategies to manage their unique stresses. Moreover, cultural expectations and societal norms significantly shape mental health experiences across different life stages, emphasizing the importance of tailoring interventions to address these cultural values and the specific needs of diverse demographic groups to effectively combat stigma and disparities in mental health care.

The primary objective of this research topic is to explore research that addresses various mental health challenges faced by individuals across different transitional life stages, including adolescence and young adulthood; parenthood; and other mid-life transitions. This collection aims to highlight cultural and societal influences, as well as the impact of trauma and adverse life events on mental health during transitions. Increased understanding of the challenges faced during key transitional periods can inform the development and implementation of technology to support mental health across life transitions.

In particular, the editors welcome submissions addressing the following sub-topics:

• stress and anxiety faced by adolescents transitioning to higher education or the workforce;
• the role of social support systems as a protective factor against mental health challenges during emerging adulthood;
• interventions aimed at fostering self-identity and emotional regulation for young adults to navigate life's complexities;
• the impact of social media and digital communication in influencing mental well-being during adolescence and adulthood;
• mental health challenges related to pregnancy, postpartum depression, and parenting stress;
• effective support systems and interventions tailored for working parents to manage their mental health;
• specific coping strategies for parents of children with special needs or behavioral challenges to reduce stress;
• the efficacy or effectiveness of digital mental health approaches in facilitating mental health care for individuals experiencing significant life transitions;
• the influence of cultural expectations and societal norms in shaping mental health experiences across different life stages;
• cultural considerations to ensure that mental health interventions address societal norms and values, and specific demographic needs to reduce stigma and disparities in care.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: transition, social support, mental health, coping strategies, cultural influence, adulthood, parenthood, digital mental health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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