Prevalence of Depression among High School Students and its Relation to Family Structure

Abstract

<strong>Problem statement:</strong> Depression is common in adolescents and especially in high school students. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression among high school students and its relation to parental configurations. <strong>Approach:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted during first term of the academic year 2003-2004. Data was collected by Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI-21 test) and researcher made questionnaire for demographic characteristics, using census procedure. <strong>Results:</strong> Results indicate that 31.3% of students (23.11% of males and 39.85% of females; p<0.0001) suffer from a degree of depression (BDI score ≥17). There was a significant relationship between depression and family structure (living with or apart of parents) (p<0.05), verbal and physical quarrels of parents (p<0.001), physical punishment of student by his/her parents (p<0.001), preventing from going outside with companions (p<0.05), history of chronic disease in the student (p<0.001), history of psychiatry disease in the family (p<0.001), school dropout (p<0.001) and sexual abuse (p<0.001). One of the most important results of this study was that 6.91% of those who have BDI score ≥17 have suicidal ideation but this figure in those who have BDI score <17 was 1.1% (p<0.001). The results show that there is no significant relationship between depression and marital status, citizenry, parents literacy level, parents job, rank, smoking, alcohol ingestion and having addicted father (p>0.05). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study findings highlight the need of psychiatry consulting and support services available to vulnerable students. Diagnosis of depression is still frequently missed and even when it is recognized, treatment is often inadequate. Then, we suggest education authorities about depression to improve recognition and diagnosis of at risk students. This recommendation should be applied to all teachers and physicians who study at schools and primary health care centers. Furthermore, further evaluation in longitudinal studies is needed to understand the stressors and risk factors leading to depression. This understanding should be used to design prevention programs at least in high school

Prevalence and Determinants of Depression among Qatari Adolescents in Secondary Schools

“…Family environment is a very strong place that can affect the development and wellbeing of adolescent. The current study showed a significant relationship between whether or not the participant is living with both of their parents and depression and this is in agreement with many studies [13].…”

“…In addition this study showed a significant relationship between family history of depression and depression as those with positive family history of depression are 6.6 times more likely to have depression and this is in agreement with Daryanavard et al [13,36]. Family environment is a very strong place that can affect the development and wellbeing of adolescent.…”

“…Almost one third of the Qatari adolescents in secondary schools had depression (34.5%), and this comes in agreement with many international studies conducted among adolescents as in the Malaysian study, which found that the prevalence of depression were 39.7% [12] and Iranian study, which found that the prevalence of depression were 31.30% [13]. On the other hand some other studies reported a much lower prevalence as Study conducted in Armenia (2013) reported that the prevalence of depression were 16.7% [14] and El-Missiry (2012) showed that depression among Egyptian secondary school female students was estimated to be 15.3% [15].…”

Prevalence of depression among school going adolescents in an urban area of Karnataka, India: a cross sectional study

“…13 Indian studies have shown a prevalence rates ranging from 18.4% to 79.2%. 4,6,10,14 The commonest type of depression in present study was mild type 33.46% followed by moderate and severe type which was similar to a study by Modabber et al from Iran. 5 The prevalence of moderate depression and severe depression was found to be 22.40% and 6.69% respectively in present study where as 11.3% and 1.8% respectively in Malik M et al study and in Mohanraj et al 19.4% and 4.3%.…”

The Organization of the Training of Technical College Students Using Practice-Oriented Tasks

“…It was found that 65% of students thereby experience a high level of anxiety. According to foreign researchers (Daryanavard et al, 2011), young people at this age are often prone to depression because of difficulties in learning. Data of input control showed that 80% of students have satisfactory knowledge and only 20% -good.…”