The association between emotional symptoms and daily life stressors is not moderated by intergroup behaviours among school-going adolescents in Zambia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the main effect and moderating effect of intergroup behaviours on the relationship between daily life stressors and emotional symptoms. Data was collected from 628 school going adolescents using the Daily Life Stressor Scale, emotional symptom subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Behaviours from Intergroup Affect and Stereotypes - Treatment scale. Data showed that emotional symptoms and daily life stressors were common especially among girls. Daily life stressors, active harm and passive facilitation predicted increased emotional symptoms. However, contrary to the study hypothesis, active and passive harm, and active and passive facilitation did not moderate the relationship between daily life stressors and emotional symptoms. School based interventions focusing on reducing academic and interpersonal related daily life stressors should be considered in order to reduce emotional symptoms and improved wellbeing among school going adolescents.

Keywords

• adolescence
• daily life stressors
• emotional symptoms
• intergroup behaviours