Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study.
<h4>Background</h4>Studies on self-reported emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among adolescents are still sparse in many low- and middle-income countries. In Nepal, no such studies have been performed on a larger scale, and little is known about self-reported EBPs in the adolescen...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287305 |
| _version_ | 1797788279560470528 |
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| author | Sirjana Adhikari Jasmine Ma Suraj Shakya Per Håkan Brøndbo Bjørn Helge Handegård Anne Cecilie Javo |
| author_facet | Sirjana Adhikari Jasmine Ma Suraj Shakya Per Håkan Brøndbo Bjørn Helge Handegård Anne Cecilie Javo |
| author_sort | Sirjana Adhikari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Studies on self-reported emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among adolescents are still sparse in many low- and middle-income countries. In Nepal, no such studies have been performed on a larger scale, and little is known about self-reported EBPs in the adolescent population.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional, school-based study on EBPs included 1904 adolescents aged 11-18 years, enrolled in government and private schools located in 16 districts in Nepal. The Nepali version of the Youth Self Report form was used to assess self-reported EBPs, and the Teacher Report Form was used to assess academic performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for gender comparisons on adolescents' EBPs and on academic competence. Multiple regression analysis was done to explore correlates of self-reported EBPs.<h4>Results</h4>The overall prevalence of self-reported EBPs was 14.2%; 15.6% in boys and 12.9% in girls. The mean Total Problems score was 39.27 (standard deviation = 24.16); no gender differences were observed. Boys scored higher on Externalizing Problems and girls scored higher on Internalizing Problems. The effect sizes for gender comparisons were small with Hedges' g ranging from -0.29 to 0.28. Physical illness and negative/traumatic life events were positively correlated with self-reported EBPs, whereas academic performance was negatively correlated. However, the effect sizes were small (η2 < 0.02).<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study helps to narrow the knowledge gap on the prevalence, magnitude, and types of self-reported EBPs in Nepali adolescents. It demonstrated an association between self-reported EBPs and academic performance and linked self-reported EBPs to other factors such as negative/traumatic life events and physical illness. The findings might assist health authorities in the planning of mental health services and may also provide valuable background information to clinicians dealing with adolescent mental health problems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T01:34:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cc5280fc1a1b47a0a5cc5a32bf35b169 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T01:34:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-cc5280fc1a1b47a0a5cc5a32bf35b1692023-07-04T05:32:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01186e028730510.1371/journal.pone.0287305Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study.Sirjana AdhikariJasmine MaSuraj ShakyaPer Håkan BrøndboBjørn Helge HandegårdAnne Cecilie Javo<h4>Background</h4>Studies on self-reported emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among adolescents are still sparse in many low- and middle-income countries. In Nepal, no such studies have been performed on a larger scale, and little is known about self-reported EBPs in the adolescent population.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional, school-based study on EBPs included 1904 adolescents aged 11-18 years, enrolled in government and private schools located in 16 districts in Nepal. The Nepali version of the Youth Self Report form was used to assess self-reported EBPs, and the Teacher Report Form was used to assess academic performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for gender comparisons on adolescents' EBPs and on academic competence. Multiple regression analysis was done to explore correlates of self-reported EBPs.<h4>Results</h4>The overall prevalence of self-reported EBPs was 14.2%; 15.6% in boys and 12.9% in girls. The mean Total Problems score was 39.27 (standard deviation = 24.16); no gender differences were observed. Boys scored higher on Externalizing Problems and girls scored higher on Internalizing Problems. The effect sizes for gender comparisons were small with Hedges' g ranging from -0.29 to 0.28. Physical illness and negative/traumatic life events were positively correlated with self-reported EBPs, whereas academic performance was negatively correlated. However, the effect sizes were small (η2 < 0.02).<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study helps to narrow the knowledge gap on the prevalence, magnitude, and types of self-reported EBPs in Nepali adolescents. It demonstrated an association between self-reported EBPs and academic performance and linked self-reported EBPs to other factors such as negative/traumatic life events and physical illness. The findings might assist health authorities in the planning of mental health services and may also provide valuable background information to clinicians dealing with adolescent mental health problems.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287305 |
| spellingShingle | Sirjana Adhikari Jasmine Ma Suraj Shakya Per Håkan Brøndbo Bjørn Helge Handegård Anne Cecilie Javo Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE |
| title | Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study. |
| title_full | Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study. |
| title_fullStr | Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study. |
| title_short | Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Nepal-A cross-sectional study. |
| title_sort | self reported emotional and behavioral problems among school going adolescents in nepal a cross sectional study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287305 |
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