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.