Depression. Anxiety and Stress among high school adolescent children in public and private schools: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: With increasing competition children today experience more stress and academic pressure which is harmful for the well-being of the children and can result in devastating life situations. Objective: To study and compare the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among high school adolescent children in public and private schools Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was carried out among high school adolescent children. 120 children from private schools and 259 children from public schools were studied. DASS questionnaire was used to assess the depression, anxiety and stress among the study subjects. The data was expressed as proportion, and mean values. Appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: In public schools, the female’s proportion was more compared to males 58.3% vs. 42% respectively while in private schools, both sexes were equally distributed. In public schools’ majority of the children were in tenth class while in private schools’ majority were in the ninth class at the time of the study. the overall prevalence of depression in the children from the public schools was found to be only 5%, that of anxiety was 20.8% and that of stress was 15.8%. the overall prevalence of depression in children from private schools was found to be 1.9%, that of anxiety was 20.5% and that of stress was 20.1%. 19% resorted to TV watching, 8.4% used internet, 17.4% reported playing, 13% engaged themselves in music, 37% spent time with friends, and 6% said they were busy with some or the other hobbies to cope with the depression, anxiety and stress. The mean score of depression and anxiety was found to be similar in children from public and private schools. But the stress score was significantly higher in children from public schools i.e. 21.6 compared to children from private schools i.e. 16.9 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In both the school’s anxiety and stress were found to be more among study participants. Depression was observed to be in less. But if they have more anxiety and stress and if it not taken proper care at this point of time, it might get converted into a state of depression.