eISSN: 2300-6722
ISSN: 1899-1874
Medical Studies/Studia Medyczne
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2/2019
vol. 35
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Preliminary evaluation of depression symptoms in adult high school students and the associated socio-demographic and environmental factors

Grażyna Wiraszka
1
,
Martyna Głuszek-Osuch
2
,
Weronika Ptak
1
,
Renata B. Stępień
1

  1. Institute of Nursing and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
  2. Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
Medical Studies/Studia Medyczne 2019; 35 (2): 139–146
Online publish date: 2019/06/28
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Introduction
Depression is a common mental health disorder and an important risk factor for somatic diseases. It affects various age groups, and early adulthood is associated with becoming independent and is a particularly critical period for developing depression.

Aim of the research
A screening evaluation of depression symptom incidence in young adults in the context of the socio-demographic and school-, home-, and peer-related student situation.

Material and methods
In 2018 a cross-sectional study was conducted on 149 adult high school students aged 18–20. We applied our own questionnaire together with the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results
Depression symptoms were identified in 43.6% of participants, and severe symptoms were present in 15.4%. The differentiating factors included: gender (p < 0.05), financial situation (p < 0.001), self-reported health (p < 0.001), professional activity (p < 0.001), school acceptance (p < 0.01), school-related stress (p < 0.001), and home atmosphere (p < 0.05); but also with peer interactions: shyness (p < 0.05), peer acceptance (p < 0.01), and willingness to meet friends (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
The common character of occurrence of depression symptoms among the analysed school youths is an alarming phenomenon that poses a threat to their health. There is a need to enforce activities in favour of mental health of students as part of the preventive care applied in schools. There is also a need to monitor mental health during school education by using simple screening tools.

keywords:

depression, mental health, students, early adulthood

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