Relationship between Psychological Hardiness and Psychological Health of Adolescents in Juvenile Institution in Tehran city

Psychological hardiness is defined as a set of psychological characteristics, which prevents the improper reactions of potentially stressful events in people. Mental health is a state of welfare under which an individual knows his ability and is able to acquire the adjustment with the daily life stress, and maintain his productivity and performance. In the present study, the relationship between these variables in Juvenile institution`s adolescents was investigated.  Using the census sampling method, 284 subjects, including 21 girls and 263 boys were studied. The study method was cross sectional and descriptive-analytical.  The data were gathered by including demographic, general health, and psychological hardiness questionnaires. In the present study, descriptive statistics including frequency mean, and standard deviation as well as the inferential statistics including Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA, and t test was used.  The results showed that there was a significantly negative correlation between total score, and subscales of mental health, with psychological hardiness. The fathers' mental illness and history of addiction in fathers was negatively correlated with teenagers' mental health. In addition, mothers' education level, history of mental illness in parents, history of delinquency, and parents' drug use have significant correlation with psychological hardiness.  So, it was concluded that by increasing the psychological hardiness, teenagers' mental health in the juvenile institution will improve. The results of subgroups in each of the variables, and their effects have been discussed to identify the higher risks groups.