A study of the mental health of High school Students of Hamideyh, suburb of Ahvaz Township

authors:

avatar Gholamreza Rajabi , , avatar Mehdi Harizavi 2

Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran
Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences: Vol.4, issue 4; 25-36
published online: December 20, 2012
article type: Research Article

how to cite: Rajabi G, Harizavi M. A study of the mental health of High school Students of Hamideyh, suburb of Ahvaz Township. Jundishapur J Health Sci. 2012;4(4): 25-36. 

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the mental health state of high school students of Hamideyh branch Ahvaz city.
The present survey was an analytical study. A sample of 305 (93 girl and 212 boy) students was selected using random stratified sampling and proportion and base of Krejcie and Morgan table from primary to college years high school students in Suburb of Ahvaz township and completed a General Health Questionnaire (CHO-28: Goldberg, & Hillier). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods and SPSS-16 software.
Of the students, 305 (34.1%) achieved a GHQ-28 score above threshold and suffer from mental disorders (35.5% of girls and 33.5% of boys). Girls relative risk of developing mental disorders was higher than that of boys. According to the Questionnaire, the prevalence of mental health disorders was anxiety 34.1% (38.7% of girls and 32.1% of boys), social dysfunction 25.6% (22.6% of girls and 26.9% of boys), depression 17.7% (11.8% of girls and 20.3% of boys), and somatic compliances 17.4% (17.2% of girls and 17.5% of boys), respectively. There were no significant differences between girl and boy students in mental health in general (p=0.994), somatic compliances (p=0.978), anxiety symptoms (p=0.094), social dysfunction (p=0.956, p=0.946), and depression symptoms (p=0.574), and among age-groups students in mental health in general (p=0.718), somatic compliances (p=0.266), anxiety symptoms (p=0.178), social dysfunction (p=0.946), and depression symptoms (p=0.199), respectively. There was a significant difference between primary to pre-college students in anxiety symptoms (p0.027).
The prevalence of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and social dysfunction remains high in student populations around the world-demonstrating the need for suitable evidence-based interventions to address these issues. Future research should concentrate on mapping interventions available to students and evaluating their effectiveness.

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