Authors
Sandra Johnsa, Soumya Gopakumarb
aMBBS Student, Dr.SMCSI Medical College, Karakonam, Trivandrum;
bDepartment of Community Medicine, Dr.SMCSI Medical College, Karakonam, Trivandrum
Abstract
Introduction: The mental health status of girl students belonging to poor homes specifically their depressive adolescent mental health has not been studied. Poor mental health can cause lower academic performance. Depression in girls with no parental support is multifactorial. In the study the term ‘parental care’ was used to denote the students who live with parents and those who were ‘without parental care’ live in poor homes.
Aims and Objectives: To assess the mental health with special emphasis on the depression of parentless girls from poor homes of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the capital of Kerala State. The study also aimed to compare the depression scores, academic and other socio-demographic factors of adolescent girls with and without parental care in High Schools of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Methodology: Cross sectional study involving 130 girl adolescent students of standard 8 to 10 who hailed from families of varied socioeconomic background were selected. 40 students belonged to poor homes and are without parental care/presence. KADS scale was administered for measuring mental health and the period of study was February 2016 to September 2016.
Study tool: Predesigned and pretested semi-structured questionnaire containing three sections- A. Questions on socio-demographic profile of students, B. Questions pertaining to depression mental health status of students using Kutcher ADAS 11 point score and C. Questions pertaining to academic performance of students.
Data collection method was self administered questionnaire.
Data entry and analysis: Data entered in excel sheet was analysed using SPSS software version 16.0. CHI-squire test and unpaired t/Mann Whitney U test was done.
Observations: Statistical analysis of KADS score indicated that both type of students with and without parental care has similar cumulative score varying from 1 to 19.
Conclusion: Statistical analysis does not show prevalence of depressive mental health among the adolescent girl students of Thiruvananthapuram who hail from poor homes. It is however, noted that almost double numbers of girls without parental care are in the upper limit of KADS score. Though more students with parental support scored marks above 80% marks, the upper KADS scores of the students without parental care did not reflect in their academic performance.
Keywords: Adolescents, Mental health, Role of parental care