Validation of the Arab Youth Mental Health scale as a screening tool for depression/anxiety in Lebanese children

Abstract

BackgroundEarly detection of common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, among children and adolescents requires the use of validated, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate screening instruments. The Arab region has a high proportion of youth, yet Arabic-language screening instruments for mental disorders among this age group are virtually absent.MethodsWe carried out construct and clinical validation on the recently-developed Arab Youth Mental Health (AYMH) scale as a screening tool for depression/anxiety. The scale was administered with 10-14 year old children attending a social service center in Beirut, Lebanon (N = 153). The clinical assessment was conducted by a child and adolescent clinical psychiatrist employing the DSM IV criteria. We tested the scale's sensitivity, specificity, and internal consistency.ResultsScale scores were generally significantly associated with how participants responded to standard questions on health, mental health, and happiness, indicating good construct validity. The results revealed that the scale exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86) and specificity (79%). However, it exhibited moderate sensitivity for girls (71%) and poor sensitivity for boys (50%).ConclusionsThe AYMH scale is useful as a screening tool for general mental health states and a valid screening instrument for common mental disorders among girls. It is not a valid instrument for detecting depression and anxiety among boys in an Arab culture.

Mood and anxiety disorders among adolescent students in Jordan

“…This finding is consistent with the findings in western countries (10,32), and Arab countries (16,17,19). Female adolescents are more likely to have internalized disorders such as anxiety and depressive disorders than male adolescents (33).…”

“…In Middle Eastern countries, the prevalence of depression among female adolescents in Saudi Arabia ranged between 13.9% and 41.5% (12,15). On the other hand, only 7% of adolescent males in Egypt and 10.6% in Oman had depression (16), while in Lebanon, 17.6% of children and adolescents were reported to have anxiety or depression (17). In Kuwait, the prevalence of depression was 14.4% among participants aged 6-33 years (18) and the prevalence of depressive disorders in Oman was 17% (19).…”

Insecurity, distress and mental health: experimental and randomized controlled trials of a psychosocial intervention for youth affected by the Syrian crisis

“…To assess mental health difficulties, we used two scales: the Arab Youth Mental Health (AYMH) and the total difficulties subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The former (21‐item, 3‐point scale) was specifically designed for the region and validated as a useful screening tool for depression and anxiety in Lebanese children (Mahfoud et al., ). The latter (20 items, 3‐point scale) provides balanced coverage of emotional and behavioural mental health difficulties (Goodman & Goodman, ); the youth self‐report version has been validated in Arabic (Almaqrami & Shuwail, ; Thabet, Stretch, & Vostanis, ), and used with Syrian refugees (Giordano et al., ) and other war‐affected populations.…”

Community-based participatory research in complex settings: clean mind-dirty hands

“…The survey measured intermediate outcomes, such as improved communication skills, problem-solving skills, relationship with peers, parents and teachers, self-esteem and increased attachment to school. The main outcome improved mental well-being of youth was measured using a validated scale (Mahfoud et al, 2011). The evidence-informed intervention aimed to achieve changes in mental health through improvements in intermediate outcomes.…”