Effect of Academic-related Factors on Adjustment Problems in Adolescents

Dr Rajkumar G,Dr Anbarasi M,Dr Saravanan M

doi:10.17511/ijpr.2016.i09.10

Dr Rajkumar G, Dr Anbarasi M + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17511/ijpr.2016.i09.10

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Abstract

Background: Adolescence is the period of stressful transition from childhood to adults which provides opportunity to a lot of adjustment problems. This study is intended to assess the mental health in adolescents and their adjustment, using standardised questionnaires. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 175 school students of both genders and of age ranging from 14 to 17. After getting clearance from Institutional ethics committee and consent from the parents, the students were administered a socio-demographic proforma, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and Adjustment Inventory for School Students (AISS) by one-to-one interview method. The scores were analysed statistically with Student’s independent t test using SPSS 20.0. Results and Discussion: There was significant increase in social dysfunction (p = 0.03) and poor adjustment in all categories (p <0.05) as age advanced. Government school students showed more somatic symptoms (p = 0.03) than the private schools, while private school students showed poor educational adjustment (p = 0.01). Students from English medium had significant social dysfunction when compared to those from Tamil medium (p = 0.03). Day scholars showed poor social dysfunction, while hostellers showed poorer social and overall adjustment. There was correlation between mental health and adjustment with poor mental health leading to poor adjustment. Conclusion: Factors like increasing age, type of school, medium of instruction and type of accommodation is significantly affecting the coping nature of the adjustment related problems.

Highlights

Adolescence is a transition from childhood to adults wherein children feel a great storm and stress from various aspects [1]
From this study it is evident that there is significant increase in the social dysfunction score of the GHQ as age advanced. This finding is partially supported by study of Sharma et al [10] who reported that boys and girls had better mental health during early adolescence (13years), while boys in late adolescence showed better mental health than girls
This study showed no gender differences in the prevalence of adjustment problems and their coping similar to Maureen et al [15]

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is a transition from childhood to adults wherein children feel a great storm and stress from various aspects [1]. They are expected to be behaving like adults while they are still longing for their childhood wishes from inside. This internal conflict, when overcome by proper guidance and support from all sectors leads to successful adolescence. According to WHO, an overall prevalence rate of about 20% has been documented for child and adolescent mental disorders, while Indian Council of Medical Research reported that about 12.8 per cent of children (1-16 years) suffer from mental health problems in India [3]. Conclusion: Factors like increasing age, type of school, medium of instruction and type of accommodation is significantly affecting the coping nature of the adjustment related problems

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Discussion

Conclusion