Illness identity perception of adolescents with anxiety and mood disorders and its association with social functioning

Introduction: Adolescence represents a critical period of identity development. Individuals navigate biological maturation and evolving social roles while integrating different self-assets into a coherent sense of self. Illness identity, the degree to which individuals integrate their health condition into their sense of self, significantly affects psychological well-being and social functioning in adolescents with chronic conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined illness identity profiles in adolescents with anxiety and mood disorders and their associations with social functioning domains. Forty-three adolescents aged 16–18 years (M = 16.57, SD = 0.72), diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, completed an online questionnaire battery, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-Youth version, Illness Identity Questionnaire, Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary, Youth Engagement and Satisfaction in Social Life Questionnaire, and Inventory of Romantic Relationship Competence. Results: Analysis revealed no differences between the positive and negative identity dimensions. The Illness Identity Questionnaire total score was negatively correlated with psychological distress (r = −0.44, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with social-emotional strengths (ρ = 0.30, p = 0.05). Although no significant correlations emerged with social engagement measures or romantic relationship competence overall, follow-up analyses revealed specific dimensional associations. Discussion: This study extends the literature on illness identity by demonstrating its relevance for psychological well-being, social-emotional strengths, and relational functioning among adolescents with anxiety and mood disorders. The findings emphasize that illness identity is a multidimensional construct with adaptive and maladaptive dimensions shaping adolescents' experiences. Engulfment emerged as a particular risk factor, whereas acceptance and enrichment were linked to more positive outcomes. The study highlights the importance of considering identity development in adolescent mental health research and practice.