Individual and Familial Factors Influencing Mental Health of Adolescent Girls in Chandigarh

Abstract

Background: Mental health issues are highly prevalent among adolescents and represent hidden public health concern. Indian adolescents, particularly girls, are vulnerable to a broad spectrum of mental health challenges due to academic stress, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and engagement in health-risk behaviour. Aims: To assess levels of depression, anxiety, and stress along with associated individual and family factors among adolescent female students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried among adolescent girl students during February 2023 to June 2023.Total 168 adolescent girl students aged between 13 to 19 years were selected by two-stage random sampling technique. Information concerning socio-demographics, family related characteristics and psychological issues was collected. A validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) scale was used to assess the depression, anxiety and stress among adolescent girls.  Results: Mean age of respondents was 15.08 ± 1.68 years. More than half of the participants were in late adolescence (57.7%). Among adolescents aged 13–15 years, a higher proportion had normal levels of depression 65 (58.6%), whereas moderate depression was more common in those aged 16–19 years 24 (42.1%). A statistically significant association was observed between age group and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS). Among early adolescents (13–15 years), moderate depression was the most prevalent category (29.8%). Severe depression was rare in both groups and extremely severe depression was not observed. Anxiety levels also varied significantly with age, with normal anxiety more frequent in early adolescents (45.0%) compared to late adolescents (33.3%). Moderate and severe anxiety levels were more prevalent in late adolescence, and extremely severe anxiety was reported only among adolescents aged 16–19 years (3.5%). Stress levels showed a similar pattern, with most early adolescents having normal stress levels (74.8%). No participant reported severe or extremely severe stress. Overall rates of depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 49.4%,58.9% and 28.6% respectively and no significant age-related differences were observed for depression, anxiety and stress (P<0.001). Family type showed no statistically significant association with depression, anxiety, or stress. Respondents reported multiple coping strategies to overcome DAS, including overthinking (79.2%), procrastination (57.1%) and negative self-talk (43.5%). Sleep disturbances were reported by 35.7% of participants, mainly attributed to over thinking and academic stress. Although most respondents reported supportive family relationships, many experienced hesitations in expressing needs, difficulties in decision-making, and perceived peer pressure. Nearly two-thirds (64.3%) of the adolescents expressed a perceived need for psychological counseling. Conclusion: The present study reported a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among adolescent girl students in Chandigarh, with anxiety being the most common condition. Their mental health showed significant association with age and family relationships emphasizing the influence of family and social environments. Emotional communication, coping behaviour, peer pressure, academic stress, and sleep disturbances also emerged as key issues in health. The high perceived need for counselling reflects unmet support needs among adolescents.