Psychosocial Problems and its Associated Factors among Adolescents in Selected Public Schools, Barbardiya Municipality, Bardia district, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical period of rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development that affects the thinking, decision making and interactions of adolescents with the world around them which contributes to the higher rates of psychosocial problems in them. Despite having mental health issues, adolescents feel reluctant to seek for professional mental health. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of psychosocial problems among adolescents in public schools of Barbardiya Municipality, Bardia, Nepal.

Methods:  A descriptive cross sectional research design was used to conduct this study among 499 adolescents studying in grade nine and ten using two-stage random sampling technique. A structured self-administered questionnaire using the validated Youth Pediatric Symptom Checklist (YPSC) was used to collect data. The findings were analyzed by using SPSS Version 21 by descriptive statistics like number, percentage, mean, median, standard deviation and inferential statistics like logistic regression.

Results: The study findings revealed that nearly one fifth (19.4%) of adolescents had psychosocial problems. Psychosocial problems was found to be significant among late adolescents (AOR= 2.13, 95% CI=1.30-3.48), females (AOR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.01-2.71), not receiving pocket money (AOR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.12-2.92), high occurrence of family disputes (AOR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.38-4.02) and average relationship with their teacher (AOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.21-3.16).

Conclusions: The findings of the study concluded that psychosocial problems is prevalent in significant number of adolescents. It is recommended that mental health awareness programs should be implemented in schools to address psychosocial problems among the adolescents.

Novelty: This study is the first to assess psychosocial problems using YPSC among adolescents in public schools of Bardiya district, providing evidence for school-based mental health interventions in rural Nepal.