Self-Reported Emotional and Behavioural Problems among Adolescents, Kathmandu

Abstract

Background Adolescents are highly vulnerable to different types of behavioural problems that can affect their academic and social lives. If left untreated, serious mental illness can develop. Objective The objective of this study was to find out emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 adolescents studying in grades 7-11 at five private schools in Kathmandu. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to select required sample. The self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to collect data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The chi-square test was used to measure the association between behavioural problems and selected variables at a 95.0% confidence level. Result The mean age of the adolescents was 13.66 (SD ± 1.13) years, and 53.1% were female. In total, 7.3% and 13.8% of adolescents had abnormal and borderline levels of behavioural problems (total difficulties), respectively. Across different domains of difficulty levels, 5.0%, 12.0%, 3.3%, 5.5%, and 1.5% of adolescents had abnormal levels of emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/ inattention problems, peer relationship problems, and pro-social behaviours, respectively. Fathers' occupation was significantly associated with behavioural problems among adolescents (p=0.020), and 15.3% of adolescents had a significant impact on their daily life, such as at home, with friends, in the classroom, or during leisure activities, due to emotional and behavioural difficulties. Conclusion Emotional and behavioural problems are quite prevalent among adolescents and have a significant adverse impact on their daily lives.