Mental Health Condition of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adolescents and Physical Inactivity as a Risk Factor

Abstract

AABBSS TTRRAACCTT OObbjjeeccttiivvee:: Mental health problems emerge in early and late adolescence and it is an im- portant public health problem. This study aimed to assess the mental condition in socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents to determine risk factors that affect their mental condition and, assess the effect of physical inactivity as arisk factor. for mental health conditions. MMaatteerriiaallss aanndd MMeetthhooddss:: This descriptive study was conducted with 993 students in a secondary and high school.The Socio-demo- graphic Characteristics Questionnaire Form, The General Health Questionnaire -12, and the Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, regression analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean age of the participating students was 15.3 ± 1.2 years (min=13-max=17); 53.9% of the students were male. The logistic regression analysis determined that the “female gender” and moderate/poor perception of academic achievement are important risk factors regarding poor/moderate mental health conditions. There were significant differences between age, gender, perceived academic achievement, and physical activity total score and mental health condition (p <0.05). CCoonncclluussiioonn:: In this study, approxi- mately 1/3 of the students assessed mental health condition as moderate or poor. Regarding determining these problems in the early pe-riod, it will be important to assess the mental health con- dition of students while per-forming health screening within the scope of school health services. KKeeyywwoorrddss:: health