Psychiatric Symptoms of Hawaiian Adolescents.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationship of depressive symptoms with symptoms of anxiety, aggression, and substance abuse in Native Hawaiian adolescents. A total of 1,819 Native Hawaiian students were recruited from three high schools as part of the initial phase of an ongoing, 4-year, longitudinal, cross-sequential study. Psychiatric symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), Braver Aggression Dimension Scale (BADS), and Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-Abbreviated (SASSI-A). Scales were standardized for this minority population. Depressive symptoms were strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety and aggression but only weakly associated with self-reported substance abuse. Girls had substantially higher scores than boys on all scales. Ninth graders reported more aggressive symptoms than did 12th graders. The educational level of the adolescent's main caregiver was not associated with symptoms reported in any of the scales. Native Hawaiian adolescents report similar symptoms and symptom clusters as do adolescents on the mainland U.S. However Native Hawaiian adolescent girls report a greater number of symptoms in all categories when compared to boys. This distinguishes them from most mainland adolescent populations.

Demographic and Social Variables Associated with Psychiatric and School-Related Indicators for Asian/Pacific-Islander Adolescents

“…These scales have been found to be reliable (internal consistency, test-retest) and valid for the present sample (e.g. Makini et al, 1996;Nahulu et al, 1996;Yuen et al, 1996;Native Hawaiian Mental Health Research Development Program, 1999;, although some caution should be noted for the STAI and Filipino males .…”

“…Makini et al, 1996;Nahulu et al, 1996;Hishinuma et al, 2001), it is hypothesized that the demographic variables will play a relatively minor role when compared to the social variables, especially that of family support. One exception to this may be the association between the main wage earners' education level and the four school-related measures, given the important role that parents may play in the education of their children.…”

A Study of Depression Factors in Taiwanese Students of Department of Design

“…The CES-D was designed to measure adult depression symptoms. In recent years, it was found that it also has a good reliability and validity applying to children and adolescents (Edman et al, 1999;Li et al, 2001;Makini et al, 1996;Olsson et al, 1999;Prescott et al, 1998;Olsson & von Knorring, 1997).…”

“…The CES-D was designed to measure adult depression symptoms. In recent years, it was found that it also has good reliability and validity applying to children and adolescents (Li et al, 2001;Makini et al, 1996;Olsson et al, 1999;Prescott et al, 1998;Edman et al, 1999;Olsson & von Knorring, 1997). The CES-D questionnaire applied in this study was translated by Dr. Chien who has achieved decent validity and reliability from studies of adult samples in Taiwanese communities (Chien & Cheng, 1985).…”

“…Many studies applied principal components analysis or factor analysis to verify the validity of CES-D among children or adolescents, and the results were found to be quite effective (Edman et al, 1999;Faulstich et al, 1986;Makini et al, 1996;Olsson & von Knorring, 1997). Symptoms of depression in adolescents are different from those in adults.…”