Abstract

Prevention has recently become an important area of interest within psychology. There is now much vigorous prevention research being conducted throughout the world, and an increasing number of psychologists are putting their efforts in preventing adolescent mental health problems. In Korea, however, prevention research to promote adolescent mental health has not received much attention within psychology. Focusing on emerging mental health problems among Korean adolescents, this article explores future directions for prevention research to promote Korean adolescents, mental health. This article begins with definitions of mental health and discusses some salient mental health problems in Korean adolescents. It then discusses definitions of prevention as well as basic conceptual approaches to prevention. Finally, this article proposes future directions for the promotion of adolescent mental health in Korea., based on a review of current status of prevention research in psychology.