High levels of stress are also
detected in this life stage, which in turn are associated with psychopathology.In addition, variability in
mental illness severity was found among youths in relation to age and gender. Overall, compared to late adolescence (age
15e19), early adolescence (age 12e14) is characterized by substantive developmental transitions, such as change from elementary to middle school, different peer expectations, and novel roles and relationships
within the family and other life contexts. These transitions account for higher mean levels of stress, anxiety and
depression among early than late adolescents. Moreover, irrespective of age, girls generally fare worse than boysWhile mental illness clearly represents a world's challenge at the heart of World Health Organization (WHO)'s Mental
Health Action Plan 2013e2020, researchers in positive psychology have long called for a shift in focus from the sole investigation
and repair of human shortcomings, deficits and pathologies, to the construction and implementation of individual
strengths, resources, and ultimately positive mental health