Abstract

Background: Life satisfaction is a measure of subjective well-being and health (Diener et al, 1999), which includes positive factors and not only relative to symptoms or risk behaviors adolescents. Low LS levels have been shown to have a predictive character of internalizing psychopathology in adolescents (Huebner, Funk, Gilman, 2000). Relational aspects, especially within the family context, constitute one of the variables associated with adolescent LS (Gohm, Oishi, Darlington, & Diener, 1998; Rash, Astedt-Kurki, & Laippala, 2003). Studies focus on topics such as family structure and organization (Gray, Chamratrithirong, Pattaravanich, & Prasartkul, 2013; Kwan, 2008; Shütz, 2014; Zullig, Valois, Huebner, & Drane, 2005), interaction patterns and the quality of the parent-child relationship (Bedin & Sarriera, 2014; Shek, 2002), paternal and maternal traits, parenting styles, and parental support, the relationship between parents' and children's reported well-being (Casas et al., 2012), dyadic functioning (mother-child/father child), and family satisfaction levels. The studies mentioned employ self-report instruments or descriptive assessments as their measurement methodology, but they do not involve the observation of LS-related family interactions. While the triadic interaction has been studied predominantly regarding the early human development Fivaz-Depeursinge, & Corboz-Warnery, 1999), the question of what is the place and importance of triadics interactions in the period of adolescence arises. Objective: To assess the relationship between the quality of triadic interaction (TI), mental health (MH) characteristics (psychopathology and personality), and life satisfaction (LS) in outpatients adolescents. Method: observational, cross-sectional and quantitative analyses. Sample: 15 triads conformed by outpatients adolescents between 13 to 16 years and two main care figures. Youth with moderate to severe mental disability, and with an acute psychotic episode are excluded. Adolescents completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale-Child (SWLS-C) (Gadermann, Schonert-Reichl, & Zumbo, 2010; Alvarez, Briceño, Alvarez, Abufhele & Delgado, 2017), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Brown, Capella, & Antivilo, 2014; Rivera, 2013; Sánchez, 2016), Clinical Inventory for Adolescents (MACI) (Vinet & Forns i Santacana, 2009), and survey related to personal beliefs, preferences, friendships, family and others. The triads participated in Lausanne Trialogue Play (LTP, Fivaz-Depeursingue & Corboz-Warnery, 1999) and completed the Family Apgar (Smilkstein, 1978; Maddaleno, Horwitz, Jara, Florenzano, & Salazar, 1987). Statistical Analysis: Descriptive, bivariate and regression analysis is performed. Result: This research is ongoing. Adolescents mainly of biparental family, middle class, mostly female and attend to public educational system, one-third with school repetition. The reason for initial consultation in the psychiatric unit was diverse, mainly mood symptoms and suicidal spectrum. Conclusions: the relation between quality triadic interaction and LS in outpatients adolescents are discussed.