[Protective factors, positive qualities and psychopathology in adolescents in clinical settings].

OBJECTIVE

To identify positive qualities and mental health problems in adolescents that are clients of a mental health specialized service.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample consisted of 145 patients of both sexes. The Mexican validated official international Hispanic version of the Youth Self Report/11-18 (YSR/11-18) was used; it measures psychopathology and individual characteristics associated with positive adaptation, called Positive Qualities.

RESULTS

The positive quality most commonly reported was related to the positive social behavior, without mean differences between girls and boys. Girls showed the highest level of internalizing and externalizing problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with psychopathology in clinical settings also show positive qualities. It is important to identify and enhance these characteristics as protective factors in adolescents living in high-risk contexts. Girls showed higher psychopathology levels, implying gender differences in preventive intervention.