Determinants of Positive Mental Health in Adolescents–A Cross-Sectional Study on Relationships between Positive Mental Health, Self-Esteem, Character Strengths and Social Inclusion

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on university students, including those in medical schools, with disruption in routine education causing significant psychological distress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with psychological distress among medical students during the period of enforced home quarantine from March through May 2020.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingOne Japanese medical school.Participants571 medical students.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSelf-administered electronic questionnaires including the K-6 scale for psychological distress, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) for self-esteem and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) for self-efficacy were distributed. To assess the determinant factor for psychological distress, variables such as sex, grade in school, living conditions, and RSES and GSES scores were evaluated in regression analysis.Results163 respondents (28.5%) scored ≥5 on the K-6 scale, indicating a significant degree of psychological distress. Logistic regression revealed that a higher score on RSES (p<0.001) and GSES (p<0.01) was an independent factor associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Multiple regression analysis focusing on students with a K-6 score ≥5 revealed that higher scores on RSES correlated with lower levels of psychological distress. By contrast, those with higher GSES scores also scored higher for indicators of psychological distress.ConclusionsThis study identified that self-efficacy and self-esteem were both influential factors for predicting psychological distress during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Medical schools should provide support for mental health and educational initiatives directed at enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy, with a focus on improving personal resilience. In emergency situations, such as that faced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, initial programmes might target students with higher levels of self-efficacy. By contrast, under routine situations, these efforts should be directed towards students with lower self-esteem as primary means to prevent depression.

Download Full-text

Addictions and mental health disorders among adolescents: a cross-sectional study; Tunisia 2020

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1068 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

A Amara ◽

R Ghammem ◽

J Sahli ◽

D Alouani ◽

F Dziri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Addictive Behaviors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Health Disorders

Abstract Introduction Adolescence is a period of significant and rapid development, marked by the growing influence of peers, individual behavioral choices and increased risk taking, including addictive behaviors. Furthermore, association between these behaviors and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, has been demonstrated in literature. In accordance with this need, we conducted this study to determine the prevalence of addictive behaviors and screen for mental disorders among adolescents. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study in Enfidha (a town in the Sousse governorate; Tunisia). The setting of the study was in high and middle schools. Data collection was done during January and February 2020. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used in this aim. It included socio-demographic characteristics, screening for mental health problems and addictive behaviors (self-esteem, depression, anxiety, facebook addiction and video game addiction). The scales are self-report validated instruments. Results We included 1195 participants with a median age of 14 years (IQR 13-16). Females represented 54.2 % of the sample. Concerning depression and anxiety, it was reported among 71.3%, 62.4% of participants, respectively. We noted that self-esteem was low among 49.5% of respondents. The pooled prevalence of internet gaming disorder and Facebook addiction was 37.4% and 32.3%, respectively. Our finding yield that girls were more prone to be Facebook addict. Meanwhile, internet gaming disorder was more common among boys. Regarding tobacco and alcohol use, it was reported among 16.7% and 3.2% of students, respectively. Our results pointed out that illicit substances' experimentation was disclosed among 2.1% of our sample. Conclusions Our study is one of rare and recent research in our country interesting the striking issue of addiction and mental health disorders among adolescents. Key messages Tobacco and alcohol use was reported among 16.7% and 3.2% of students. Illicit substances’ experimentation was disclosed among 2.1% of our sample.

Download Full-text

Self-esteem and wellbeing among tribal and non-tribal adolescent girls

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20213414 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2723

Author(s):

Lokesh Kumar Ranjan ◽

Pramod R. Gupta ◽

Nilesh Maruti Gujar

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Significant Contribution ◽

Wellness Programs ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Social Functions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adolescent Period

Background: Adolescent period reports experiences of changes in physical, mental and social functions. Self-esteem has a significant contribution to wellbeing and depression in adolescent. The aim and objective was to evaluate self-esteem and wellbeing among adolescent girls with tribal and non-tribal ethnicity.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in which 2 schools and 1 institute selected using purposive sampling. The total enumeration method of random sampling was obtained to select participants. Total of 360 adolescent girls (180 each tribal and non-tribal adolescent girls) were selected for the study. Socio-demographic datasheet, adolescent wellbeing scale and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used for the assessment.Results: The adolescent girls with tribal ethnicity found to have low self-esteem and wellbeing (depressive) compared to adolescent girls with non-tribal ethnicity. 33.9% of tribal adolescent girls and 13.3% of non-tribal adolescent girls found in depressive dimension.Conclusions: The deliberate efforts to build self-esteem and wellbeing among tribal adolescent girls can help to promote their mental health. The mental health promotion and wellness programs specific to ethnicity and culture requires to uphold the wellbeing of the adolescent girls with tribal ethnicity.

Download Full-text

Suicide Attempters, Suicide Ideators, and Non-Ideators

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000554 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 294-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tobias Teismann ◽

Laura Paashaus ◽

Paula Siegmann ◽

Peter Nyhuis ◽

Marcus Wolter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Positive Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reasons For Living ◽

Suicide Attempters

Abstract. Background: Suicide ideation is a prerequisite for suicide attempts. However, the majority of ideators will never act on their thoughts. It is therefore crucial to understand factors that differentiate those who consider suicide from those who make suicide attempts. Aim: Our aim was to investigate the role of protective factors in differentiating non-ideators, suicide ideators, and suicide attempters. Method: Inpatients without suicide ideation ( n = 32) were compared with inpatients with current suicide ideation ( n = 37) and with inpatients with current suicide ideation and a lifetime history of suicide attempts ( n = 26) regarding positive mental health, self-esteem, trust in higher guidance, social support, and reasons for living. Results: Non-ideators reported more positive mental health, social support, reasons for living, and self-esteem than suicide ideators and suicide attempters did. No group differences were found regarding trust in higher guidance. Suicide ideators and suicide attempters did not differ regarding any of the study variables. Limitations: Results stem from a cross-sectional study of suicide attempts; thus, neither directionality nor generalizability to fatal suicide attempts can be determined. Conclusion: Various protective factors are best characterized to distinguish ideators from nonsuicidal inpatients. However, the same variables seem to offer no information about the difference between ideators and attempters.

Download Full-text