Mental Health Problems and the Associated Family and School Factors in Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis

摘要

Objective: Mental health is one of the most important issues in adolescents’ life. Adolescents’ health is highly important,because of their role in the future. This study was conducted using multilevel analysis to investigate the risk factors atstudent and school levels.Method: This was a cross sectional study for which 1740 students and 53 schools were selected between February andMarch 2018 in Qazvin, Iran. Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used for data collection. Mental health problemswere measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Emotional symptom, conduct problem,hyperactivity, peer relationship problem, and prosocial behavior were the subscales. This study used multilevel analysisto determine the association between each of the questionnaire scales and students and schools variables.Results: The prevalence of the mental health problems was 16.2%. Conduct problem was more prevalent than others(21.1%). Overall, the score of mental health problems was significantly lower in boys’ schools, in adolescents withphysical activity, and in families with high socioeconomic status. Hyperactivity and emotional symptoms were significantlyhigher in girls’ schools. While prosocial behavior and peer relationship problems were significantly higher in boys’schools. The association between variables and the scales of mental health problems was different.Conclusion: Results indicated desirable physical activity and socioeconomic status are effective components in theadolescents’ mental health, and, mostly girls’ schools were more vulnerable than boys’ schools. Therefore, theeducational authorities and health policymakers should consider this diversity to design interventional programs and paymore attention to the high-risk adolescents in different schools.