Publication: Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among a national sample of in-school adolescents in Liberia
2
Issued Date
2021-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
18155626
14330237
14330237
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85105470619
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Psychology in Africa. Vol.31, No.2 (2021), 197-202
Suggested Citation
Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among a national sample of in-school adolescents in Liberia. Journal of Psychology in Africa. Vol.31, No.2 (2021), 197-202. doi:10.1080/14330237.2021.1903158 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/79058
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Thesis
Title
Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among a national sample of in-school adolescents in Liberia
Author(s)
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among adolescent school children in Liberia. We analysed data from a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of 2 744 school adolescents (median: 18 years) gathered by the Liberia Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS, 2017). Results indicate that the overall prevalence of psychological distress was 24.5%, 27.3% in girls and 21.2% in boys. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, bullying victimisation, girls, frequent experience of hunger, daily exposure to secondary smoke, and ever amphetamine use increased the odds of psychological distress. In addition, in univariate analysis, interpersonal violence (attacked and in fights), parental disrespect of privacy, school truancy, substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis), multiple sexual partners, and injury were associated with psychological distress. Addressing psychological distress and related factors should be a priority of prevention and care strategies in this vulnerable population.