This study examines longitudinal behaviour change of adolescents in six key lifestyle behaviours – sleep, physical activity (PA), sedentary recreational screen time, diet, alcohol use, and tobacco use – and associations with mental health. 

Changes over time in each of the behaviours were significantly associated with later psychological distress, whereby health-promoting behaviours were associated with reduced psychological distress and vice versa. When all behaviour changes were modelled together, significant effects remained for sleep, PA, vegetable consumption, junk food and SSB consumption, alcohol, and tobacco use. 

The results highlight the potential benefits of behaviour modification to reduce the progression of psychological distress in adolescence.