Abstract
BackgroundPopulation level data regarding the general mental health status, and the socio-demographic factors associated with the mental health status of adolescents in Australia aged 12–16 years is limited. This study assessed prevalence of mental health problems in a regional population of Australian students in Grades 7–10, and investigated associations between mental health problems and socio-demographic factors.MethodsA web-based survey was conducted in 21 secondary schools located in disadvantaged local government areas in one regional local health district of NSW Australia. Mental health problems were measured using the youth self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) total SDQ score and three subscale scores (internalising problems, externalising problems and prosocial behaviour). Associations between each SDQ outcome and student socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Status, remoteness of residential location and socio-economic disadvantage) were investigated.ResultsData are reported for 6793 students aged 12–16 years. Nineteen percent of participants scored in the ‘very high’ range for the total SDQ, 18.0 % for internalising problems, 11.3 % for externalising problems and 8.9 % for prosocial behaviour problems. Gender and Aboriginal status were associated with all four SDQ outcomes, while age was associated with two, excluding externalising problems and prosocial behaviour. Aboriginal adolescents scored higher for mental health problems than non-Aboriginal adolescents for all four SDQ outcomes. Females scored higher than males for total SDQ and internalising problems, with mean difference greatest at age 15. Males scored higher for externalising problems and lower for prosocial behaviour than females.ConclusionsThe finding that mental health problems significantly varied by age, gender and Aboriginality may suggest a need for tailored interventions for groups of adolescents with highest levels of mental health problems.Trial Registration ANZCTR ACTRN12611000606987. Registered 14/06/2011.
Highlights
Population level data regarding the general mental health status, and the socio-demographic factors associated with the mental health status of adolescents in Australia aged 12–16 years is limited
Tools that provide a measure of the general mental health status of participants rather than of specific diagnostic conditions, and that can be administered without extensive clinical knowledge, are recommended in describing the mental health of the adolescent population overall, and of particular groups within the adolescent population [5, 6]
Participants who did not complete all the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) survey items were excluded from analysis (n = 86), leaving a final study sample of 6793 participants
Summary
Population level data regarding the general mental health status, and the socio-demographic factors associated with the mental health status of adolescents in Australia aged 12–16 years is limited. Limited population level data have been reported regarding the mental health status of adolescents [7], with adolescence being defined as the second decade of life [8]. Where such data exist, there is considerable variability regarding the extent to which it meets the above best practice measurement recommendations for population level studies [3]. The report noted that existing population prevalence surveys differed in terms of the age ranges covered, the recency of data collection, the mental health problems assessed and the measurement instruments used, with most countries reporting the prevalence of specific mental health disorders and not of mental health status generally [6]
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