Publication: Self-Reported Emotional and Behavioural Problems among Adolescents, Kathmandu
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Adolescents are highly vulnerable to different types of behavioural problems that
can affect their academic and social lives. If left untreated, serious mental illness can
develop.
Objective
The objective of this study was to find out emotional and behavioural problems
among adolescents.
Method
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 adolescents studying
in grades 7-11 at five private schools in Kathmandu. A non-probability convenience
sampling technique was used to select required sample. The self-reported Strengths
and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to collect data. Ethical approval was obtained
from the Institutional Review Committee at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan
University. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The chi-square test
was used to measure the association between behavioural problems and selected
variables at a 95.0% confidence level.
Result
The mean age of the adolescents was 13.66 (SD ± 1.13) years, and 53.1% were
female. In total, 7.3% and 13.8% of adolescents had abnormal and borderline levels
of behavioural problems (total difficulties), respectively. Across different domains of
difficulty levels, 5.0%, 12.0%, 3.3%, 5.5%, and 1.5% of adolescents had abnormal
levels of emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/ inattention
problems, peer relationship problems, and pro-social behaviours, respectively.
Fathers’ occupation was significantly associated with behavioural problems among
adolescents (p=0.020), and 15.3% of adolescents had a significant impact on their
daily life, such as at home, with friends, in the classroom, or during leisure activities,
due to emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Conclusion
Emotional and behavioural problems are quite prevalent among adolescents and
have a significant adverse impact on their daily lives.
KEY WORDS
Adolescents, Behavioural and emotional problems, Self-report, Strengths and
difficulties questionnaire
Description
Pandey A,1 Adhikari K,2 Dhakal K,1 Pandey AR,3 Upadhyay R,1 Devkota N4
1Maharajgunj Nursing Campus
Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu, Nepal
2Nepal Health Research Council
Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal
3Herald Secondary School, Kathmandu, Nepal
4Department of Child and Adolescents’ Psychiatric
Kanti Children Hospital, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Adolescents, Behavioural and emotional problems, Self-report, Strengths and difficulties questionnaire