A cross-sectional study: the prevalence of mental disorders and associated factors in middle school students in Tuy Hoa City, Vietnam in 2021

Abstract

A mental disorder is a state of mental health deviance in a period and leads to the disruption of a body’s self-balance. Adolescence is a period of many psychophysiological changes, and several factors which are related to personal characteristic, family and school could adversely affect a child’s mental well-being. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of mental disorders and ascertain some associated factors in middle school students (ages 12-15) in Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province, Viet Nam 2021. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April on 539 students and parents at middle schools in Tuy Hoa city, Viet Nam in 2021. Parents were requested to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The prevalence of having mental disorders in middle school students was 22.7%. The difference between the prevalences of having mental disorders in male and female students was statistically significant (p=0.014), grade lever (p=0.020), conduct (p=0.040), concern from parents (p=0.046), family conflicts (p=0.029), being scolded for making mistakes by parents (p=0.004) and being bullied by classmates (p=0.045). Experiencing mental disorders was relatively prevalent among middle school students. Some factors which were related to family and school environments were found associated with psychiatric disorders. Therefore, interventions and cooperation from parents and school officers are essential to mitigate students’ sufferings caused by mental health problems, promote psychological well-being, or preclude psychoses from occurring.