BEHAVIOURAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENTS

BackgroundAdolescents are highly vulnerable to psychiatric disorders.This study aimed to explore the prevalence and patterns ofbehavioural and emotional problems in adolescents. It wasalso aimed to explore associations between socioenvironmentalstressors and maladaptive outcomes.MethodA school based cross-sectional study was conductedbetween January and July 2008. A stratified randomsampling was done. 1150 adolescents in 12 to 18 year agegroup in grades 7 to 12 in 10 co-educational schools(government run and private) were the subjects of thestudy. Behavioural and emotional problems were assessedusing Youth Self-Report (2001) questionnaire. Familystressors were assessed using a pre-tested 23 itemquestionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis wereperformed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was alsodone.ResultsPrevalence of behavioural and emotional problems inadolescents was found to be 30%, with girls exceedingboys in all age groups. Internalizing syndrome was themost common (28.6%) psychiatric problem. On stepwiseregression analysis, a perceived lack of emotionalproximity to mother had the highest odds (3.489) followedby addiction in father (2.642) and marital discord inparents (1.402). Type of school, type of family,socioeconomic status, relationship with father, mother'semployment and educational status were not found to besignificantly associatedConclusionAn alarming number of our adolescents suffer fromemotional and behavioural problems which have theirroots in the family environment. These data suggesturgency in establishing a school based mental healthservice.