Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal—A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Studies on self-reported emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among adolescents are still sparse in many low- and middle-income countries. In Nepal, no such studies have been performed on a larger scale, and little is known about self-reported EBPs in the adolescent population. Methods This cross-sectional, school-based study on EBPs included 1904 adolescents aged 11–18 years, enrolled in government and private schools located in 16 districts in Nepal. The Nepali version of the Youth Self Report form was used to assess self-reported EBPs, and the Teacher Report Form was used to assess academic performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for gender comparisons on adolescents’ EBPs and on academic competence. Multiple regression analysis was done to explore correlates of self-reported EBPs. Results The overall prevalence of self-reported EBPs was 14.2%; 15.6% in boys and 12.9% in girls. The mean Total Problems score was 39.27 (standard deviation = 24.16); no gender differences were observed. Boys scored higher on Externalizing Problems and girls scored higher on Internalizing Problems. The effect sizes for gender comparisons were small with Hedges’ g ranging from -0.29 to 0.28. Physical illness and negative/traumatic life events were positively correlated with self-reported EBPs, whereas academic performance was negatively correlated. However, the effect sizes were small (η2 < 0.02). Conclusion This study helps to narrow the knowledge gap on the prevalence, magnitude, and types of self-reported EBPs in Nepali adolescents. It demonstrated an association between self-reported EBPs and academic performance and linked self-reported EBPs to other factors such as negative/traumatic life events and physical illness. The findings might assist health authorities in the planning of mental health services and may also provide valuable background information to clinicians dealing with adolescent mental health problems.

Cross-informant ratings on emotional and behavioral problems in Nepali adolescents: A comparison of adolescents’ self-reports with parents’ and teachers’ reports

“…The YSR was found to be suitable for use in an earlier Nepali study, with good internal consistency [ 38 ]. Our recently published paper on self-reported EBPs among Nepali adolescents also documented acceptable to good psychometric properties of the YSR, based on the same study sample [ 9 ]. When completing the questionnaire, adolescents indicate the extent to which each item describes their behavior over the last 6 months by selecting a score of 0 (not true), 1 (somewhat or sometimes true), or 2 (very true or often true) for each item.…”

“…Adult informants are the most common sources and can provide critical information about how adolescents function in everyday settings such as the home and school [ 2 , 7 , 8 ]. However, for a comprehensive evaluation of mental health, it is also vital to draw information from the adolescents themselves [ 9 , 10 ]. Indeed, parents and teachers may tend to minimize adolescents’ problems, and thus, adolescents may be less likely to receive early diagnosis and proper treatment if they are not questioned directly.…”