Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Adolescents in Pokhara City in Nepal

  • Bharati Sharma NAMS, Bir Hospital Nursing Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Mana Kumari Rai Maharajgung Nursing campus, TU, IOM, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Anju Sharma Marie Stopes International Nepal.
  • Sabita Karki NAMS, Bir Hospital Nursing Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v16i41.1607

Abstract

Background: Adolescents are highly vulnerable to psychiatric disorders, which often have serious negative consequences for their academic achievement and potential social life. The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to identify the emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents using cluster sampling technique. Assessment was done on students of grade 7-11 from two schools in city in Nepal using self-administered questionnaire, Youth Self-Report (YSR-11/18) 2001, developed by Achenbach System of Empirical Based Assessment and self developed socio-demographic questionnaires. Data was coded and analyzed using SPSS (20). Descriptive statistic and inferential statistic (Chi square, Fisher Exact and Odds ratio-OR) were used to analyze data.
Results: Altogether 330 adolescents were enrolled in study with mean age 14.3 yrs (range 11-18, male-152, female-178). Prevalence of EBPs was 30.0% (Male-38.8% female-22.5%). Internalizing problems (35.8%) were more common than externalizing (18.5%). Occurrence of EBPs was significantly associated with Sex (OR= 2.2 p=0.001), type of family (OR=1.8 p=0.035) and types of school (private: public OR=2.1 p=0.004).
Among narrow band scales most common problems were social (17.6%), thought (15.5%), somatic (13%), anxious depression (12.1%) and aggression(10.3%). There was significant association between sex with EBPs on narrow band scales, male adolescents were more likely to have thought-problem (OR=3.7 p=<0.001, rule-breaking problem (OR=8.5, p=0.02), aggressive behavior (OR=3.7 p=0.001) while female were more likely to have social problems (OR=2.6 p=0.002).
Conclusions: Emotional and behavioural are a serious mental health concern among adolescents. An intervention strategy (School-based mental health service) maybe required to understand their problems and provide appropriate counseling.
Keywords: Adolescents; emotional and behavioral problems; youth self report.

Published
2019-01-28
How to Cite
SharmaB., RaiM. K., SharmaA., & KarkiS. (2019). Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Adolescents in Pokhara City in Nepal. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 16(41), 419-424. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v16i41.1607
Issue
Vol. 16 No. 41 (2018): JNHRC Vol. 16 No. 4 Issue 41 Oct - Dec 2018
Section
Original Article

Copyright (c) 2019 Bharati Sharma, Mana Kumari Rai, Anju Sharma, Sabita Karki

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