Prevalence and Associated Factors of Mental Health Conditions among Senior High School Students of Dasmarinas Integrated High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In the advent of the K-12 program in the Philippines, it would be timely to consider the mental health of senior high school students. The transition from being junior high school to being senior high school entails a range of stressors and other challenges. As cited in Aldiabat, Matani, and Le Navenec (2014), given the global prevalence and burden of mental illness, it is likely there would be a significant number of students with emotional problems (Storrie, Ahern, and Tukett, 2010). These young individuals are burdened with the fact that they have to handle adult-like responsibilities with inadequate skills and intellectual maturity as they develop from adolescence to adulthood.

METHODS

This study utilized a quantitative descriptive-correlational method. The 238 participants were picked through stratified random sampling from the approximately 1,690 total population of senior high school students in Dasmariñas Integrated High School-SHS (as of August 2018). The assessment tools utilized in this study include the survey questionnaire for a socio-demographic profile, the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 (ISEL-12) for the perceived social support level, and the Self Report Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) for the prevalence of mental health conditions among senior high school students. The data were analyzed with the use of Chi-square.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mental health conditions among senior high school students of Dasmariñas Integrated High School was 50.84% (n=238). Among the socio-demographic characteristics, only the gender (X2=5.57, p<.05) has a significant relationship with the prevalence of mental health conditions. Likewise, there is a significant relationship between the level of perceived social support and the prevalence of mental health conditions (X2 =11.77, p<.05). In terms of the sub-scales of the perceived social support, appraisal (X2=12.132, p<.01) and tangible (X2=7.127, p<.05) sub-scales had a significant relationship with the prevalence of mental health conditions.

DISCUSSIONS

Mental health conditions were prevalent among senior high school students of Dasmariñas Integrated High School. The associated factors that showed a significant relationship with the prevalence of mental health conditions are gender and perceived social support, particularly appraisal (advice or guidance), and tangible (help or assistance, such as material or financial aid) social support. The mental health of an individual can be improved by improving the interpersonal social support system.