Psychopathological Risk During Adolescent Study-Abroad: A Larger-Cohort Update of a Previous Longitudinal Study

Abstract

This article updates and extends a prior longitudinal study on adolescents’ psychological adjustment during short-term study-abroad programs, analyzing a newly collected larger cohort with the same design and measures. Using the same assessment schedule (pre-departure, mid-sojourn, post-return) with a larger cohort, we confirmed the adequate reliability and longitudinal comparability of the Teacher’s Report Form. Mean-level analyses replicated earlier patterns: internalizing symptoms increased during the sojourn and remained elevated at reentry, whereas externalizing problems followed an inverted-U, rising abroad and returning to baseline after return. Person-centered models identified three trajectory classes for both domains: a low-stable group, a transient-elevated group showing a mid-sojourn spike with subsequent recovery, and a small high-persistent group with enduring elevations. Clinical threshold transitions showed a temporary mid-sojourn rise in borderline/clinical cases for both domains, with partial normalization after return. Reliable-change estimates further distinguished transient from sustained change. Together, the findings characterize studying abroad as a moderate, time-bound stressor for most adolescents, with a minority at persistent risk. The implications of these findings include suggestions for front-loaded and reentry supports, pre-departure screening, and targeted mid-sojourn monitoring. The strengths include longitudinal measurement invariance and person-centered modeling; the limitations include teacher-only reports and a short post-return follow-up.