Depression, anxiety and stress association among Taze boarding school adolescent, Shwe Bo District, Sgaing Division, Myanmar : a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Adolescent is a transition phase from childhood to adulthood. Therefore, there are various problems occurring in that period such as physical, social and mental health issues. The study purpose is to describe prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress and to explore the associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 adolescents at three boarding schools in Taze, Myanmar. Data were collected by self-administered. The measurement tools including socio demographic characteristics, Modified form of social support scale, Pearlin’s mastery scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and Depression, anxiety, stress -21 scale (DASS 21). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to explore the associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 85%, 84% and 71% respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, depression was significantly associated with problems with teacher interaction, in school performance, social support from parents and mastery (p-value <0.05). Problems in school performance and mastery showed highly statistically significant associations (p-value <0.01). For anxiety, interpersonal conflict with parents, problems with teacher interaction, and social competence showed statistically significant association (p-value< 0.05). Problems with teacher interaction and interpersonal conflict with parents showed highly statistically significant associations (p-value <0.01). For stress, age, grade, sex, problems with teacher interaction, in school performance and interpersonal conflict with parents showed statistically significant association (p-value< 0.05). Age, grade and problems with teacher interaction showed highly statistically significant associations (p-value <0.01). Boarding school is a stressful environment compared with public schools. This study showed the associated factors of students’ depression, anxiety, stress and conditions with parents, teachers and peers. In this study, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was so high, further studies should focus on intervention study to reduce depression, anxiety and stress and investigate about suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt.