Depressive Symptoms and Psychological Wellbeing Among Adolescents in Selected Schools of Ambalapuzha Block Panchayat: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Saranya R and Harikrishna G L
Depression is a common mental disorder seen across all age groups, including children and adolescents. Depression is often associated with significant disability in children and adolescents. This study is to determine the depressive symptoms and psychological wellbeing among adolescents studying in selected higher secondary schools of Amblapuzha block panchayat of Alappuzha district of South Kerala; to determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and psychological wellbeing among adolescents, to determine the association between depressive symptoms and socio personal variables among adolescents and to determine the association between psychological wellbeing and socio personal variables among adolescents. This cross- sectional study was conducted among 300 higher secondary students in Ambalapuzha block panchayat of Alappuzha district in South Kerala. Socio personal data sheet was used to collect socio demographic data of adolescents, Becks Depression Inventory II was used to assess depressive symptoms and General Health Questionnaire-12 was used to assess psychological wellbeing of adolescents. The result of the study showed that 67.05% of adolescents were having minimal depressive symptoms, 32.3% of were having mild depressive 7.3% were having moderate depressive symptoms and 2.3% were having severe depressive symptoms. In the present study 69.7% of adolescents were having good health and 30.3% were having worse health. There was a moderate positive correlation (r = +.64) between depressive symptoms with psychological wellbeing. There was a significant association between depressive symptoms and socio personal variables like gender, occupation of father, monthly family income, academic problems, family problems, peer group problems. Present study showed that there was a significant association between psychological wellbeing and socio personal variables including occupation of father, education of mother, occupation of mother and peer group problems.