Seeing Peers through One’s Own Lens: Social Projection and Misperceived Mental Health Norms Among Adolescents

Intersubjective norms shape adolescent mental health. Adolescents (N=613) underestimated wellbeing (flourishing; discrepancy = −0.26, p<.001) and overestimated depression (PHQ; discrepancy = 0.12, p<.001); stress was accurate (p=.58). Social projection (β≈0.31–0.48) predicted miscalibration (PHQ: r²≈.32; stress: r²≈.27). Exploratory findings support norm-correction prioritizing depressive symptoms and stress.