Experiences of mattering among youth: Implications for prevention and intervention.

Abstract

Studies have identified three key components of mattering: getting attention from others, feeling that you are important to others, and feeling that others depend on you to fulfill a need in their lives. Research consistently links experiences of mattering with positive mental health outcomes and the absence of mattering with a range of self-destructive and antisocial behaviors in youth. Despite this, limited research has explored how young people themselves understand and experience mattering. This study investigates the phenomenology of mattering among youth, drawing on 359 comments submitted in response to a New York Times article between November 3 and December 3, 2023. Guided by grounded theory coding methodology, the analysis yielded 33 code clusters, which were categorized into four main themes: preconditions, sources of mattering, potential effects, and lack of mattering. Findings offer new insights into how mattering is experienced by youth, highlighting implications for prevention and well-being promotion strategies.