Depression and its Associated Factors among Senior High School Students in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand: a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the increasing mental health problems among the adolescents. This study explored the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among the high school students in Grades 10 through 12.

Methods: The study was conducted in Nonthaburi province in Thailand. A multi-stage, cross-sectional sampling technique was employed to enrol 479 adolescents from six schools in December 2012. The research questionnaires gathered information on demographic factors, peer group relationships, family relationships, self-esteem, parenting style, negative life events and depression status.

Results: The prevalence of depression was 14.19%. The study participants were mainly 16-17 years old (67.2%) and females (59.3%). The factors associated with depression were poor relationships with peer groups (OR_adj=17.60, 95%CI=5.46-56.73) and family members (OR_adj=5.92,95%CI=1.88-18.56), poor self-esteem (OR_adj=4.51, 95%CI=2.36-8.63), authoritarian and permissive parenting style (OR_adj=4.02, 95%CI=1.58-10.24; OR_adj=3.81, 95%CI=1.15-12.58, respectively), and negative life events (OR_adj=2.85, 95%CI=1.40-5.79).

Conclusions: Ongoing surveillance of social determinants should be conducted alongside knowledge sharing of depression and its associated factors among the parents, teachers and adolescents. School activities should include a program for adolescents’ stress management and conflict resolution skills. Strengthening peer group and family relationships, enhancing self-esteem, and counseling the parents to improve their parenting styles are recommended in order to prevent adolescents developing depressive tendencies.