Mental health among ethnic minority adolescents in Vietnam and correlated factors: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to measure the rate of depression, anxiety and stress among ethnic minority adolescents and identify relationships between demographic characteristics, behaviours and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) factors with different mental disorders.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lang Son province, Vietnam, among adolescents in boarding schools for ethnic minorities. The Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21) and the ACEs Questionnaire were used. Information on age, gender, ethnicity, frequency of home visits, frequency of parental visits, number of people living together, quality of friendship, physical activity, and frequency of Internet use was also collected. Multivariate Logistic and Tobit regression were employed.

Results

Among 845 students, the rates of stress, anxiety and depression were 24.7 %, 54.4 % and 59.0 %, respectively. There were 48.9 % experiencing at least one ACEs, and the mean number of ACEs was 1.1 (SD = 1.8, range = 0–6). The number of ACEs was positively associated with anxiety score (Coef. = 0.28), stress score (Coef. = 0.28), and depression score (Coef. = 0.16). Having fair or poor friendships was positively associated with anxiety, stress and depression scores. Adolescents using the Internet daily or not using the Internet had a significantly lower anxiety score than those using the Internet at the weekend. Finally, information sources such as friends or television were negatively associated with stress and anxiety scores.

Conclusion

This study revealed the high prevalence of mental health problems and ACEs among ethnic minority adolescents in current sample. The present study illustrates an immediate demand for interventions to address ACEs and cognitive issues to improve adolescents’ well-being.