| Learning Objective #1: Explain the relationship among psychosocial factors and mental health in Korean adolescents | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Explain gender differences in mental health |
The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship among psychosocial factors (relationships with parent and peer, perceived social support, self-esteem, health efficacy) and mental health (depression) in Korean adolescents and to identify whether there are gender differences.
A stratified and random cluster sampling design was used to obtain a cross-sectional sample at a high school in Korea. Sample consisted of 512 adolescents aged 15 to 18. Mental health was measured by the CES-Depressed Mood (Radloff, 1977), and psychosocial factors were measured by Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987), Perceived Social Support (Procidano, & Heller, 1983), Hare Self-esteem Scale (Hare, 1985), and School Health Efficacy Questionnaire (Froman & Owen, 1991). Correlation and multiple regressions were use for testing relationships among research variables.
According to descriptive analysis, the mean of mental health was 18.55 (±7.56, range 5-43). Fifty eight percent of the sample (n= 279) scored in the relatively high depressive symptom range (16 or above). All psychosocial factors' means showed above average level. Finding from correlational analyses showed significant relationships among psychosocial factors and mental health in adolescents(r=-0.26~-0.48). Also, multiple regression analyses showed self-esteem (b=-0.38) and health efficacy (b=-0.21) were significant predictors for mental health (depression) in Korean adolescents. Moreover, there were gender differences. In boys, self-esteem was a significant predictor, while self-esteem and health efficacy were significant predictors on mental health of girls.
Based on results, we suggest that strategies for improvement of self-esteem and health efficacy might be included the mental health promotion program for the adolescents and parenting education for the family with adolescents in school based and family based setting.