Perceptions of Young People from Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and Lima on the Factors Influencing the Improvement or Maintenance of Their Emotional Distress

Young people are exposed to experiences or situations that influence their emotional state. However, little is known about the subjective explanations of Latin American youth regarding the factors that influence their mental health over time. The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of young people regarding the factors that explain the improvement or maintenance of symptoms of depression and anxiety after one year of follow-up. Methods: 112 in-depth interviews were conducted with young people from Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and Lima who were part of a cohort and had completed 12 months of follow-up. Based on the recovery status of baseline symptoms of anxiety and depression after one year, a question was asked about the factors associated with that outcome. A thematic analysis was used. Results: The young people in the study identified a wide variety of external events or situations and attitudinal changes that influence the improvement or maintenance of their emotional distress after one year of follow-up. However, those who recovered from the symptoms more frequently mentioned the use of coping strategies and new experiences, while those who did not recover referred to the persistence of adverse or negative situations. Conclusions: The perceptions of young people about what influences the improvement or maintenance of emotional distress could guide discussions on youth mental health, the development of interventions, or the strengthening of contexts or experiences that favor their well-being, through social, family, educational, and community-based approaches.