Abstract
The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems in subpopulation of Warsaw adolescents and to identify trends in 2004-2016. The cross-sectional study, conducted every four years, covered the third grade Warsaw middle school students from three Warsaw districts: Mokotów, Ursynów and Wilanów. Sample was randomly selected with the adjustment for cluster selection. The self-administered questionnaire had been completed during school lessons. Indicators were related to following problems: (1) internalizing (symptoms of depression measured by the shortened CES-D scale and other emotional problems, based on subjective assessment); (2) externalizing - coexistence of two out of three types of behaviors (psychoactive substances abuse, being perpetrator of violence and delinquent behavior); (3) mixed. In 2016, 42% of youth exhibited symptoms of mental health disorders. These problems more often affected girls (48%) than boys (36%). Between 2008 and 2016, the percentage of young people experiencing internalizing problems increased significantly. This was due to the increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of young people demonstrating externalizing problems. The last result was a consequence of the decrease in substance abuse and violence. Growing prevalence of internalizing problems, depressive symptoms and other emotional problems among teenagers indicates an urgent need to develop or adapt effective prevention programs and to improve the access to psychological and psychiatric support.
Highlights
We do not possess a univocal definition of ‛mental health’, grounded in the theory and research practice
The results of the latest wave of the Mokotow Study conducted in the Autumn of 2016, showed that approximately 16% of third grade middle school students experienced internalizing problems (Figure 1)
It can be estimated that approximately 42% of students could be at risk of mental health problems due to various types of problems
Summary
We do not possess a univocal definition of ‛mental health’, grounded in the theory and research practice This term is defined differently depending on the adopted theoretical perspective, views on the nature of human being or psychological and philosophical concepts [1, 2]. According to the WHO ‛mental health’ is defined as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community” [3, 4] This definition, is not widely accepted, and sometimes it is directly criticized [5]
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