ArticleBMC psychology2023
Psychological distress in adolescents: prevalence and its relation to high-risk behaviors among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda.
Article in BMC psychology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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14 citing papers in PubMed, 29 citations in OpenAlex.
- Validation of the Spanish Sexual Risk Behaviour Scale among adolescents, youth, and future health and educational professionals.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Postwar posttraumatic stress disorder: Prevalence and associated factors among adolescents and youths in Tigray, Ethiopia.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Narrative Identity Development In Adolescents And Young Adults: A Scoping Review.Clinical neuropsychiatry · 2026Review
- Exploring the effect of social ties on mental health outcomes among adolescents in selected peri-urban communities in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.Discover mental health · 2026Article
- Gender-based determinants of psychological distress among emerging adult students in coastal Karnataka: a cross-sectional study.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Article
- Profiling the plight of adolescent girls and young women: risks and pathways for intervention in rural Uganda.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Psychological distress among undergraduate health sciences students in Uganda.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2025Article
- Depression symptom severity and behavioral impairment in school-going adolescents in Uganda.BMC psychiatry · 2025Article
- An integrative examination of psychological distress and its nutritional and visual correlates among young adults in Ghana.PloS one · 2025Article
- Psychological Distress Among Ethnically Diverse Participants From Eastern and Southern Africa.JAMA network open · 2024Article
- Eating disorder risks and psychopathological distress in Italian high school adolescents.Italian journal of pediatrics · 2024Article
- The burden and its determinants of mental health distress among adolescents dwelling in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health · 2024Article
- The interplay of psychological resilience and adolescent mobile phone addiction in Henan province, China: insights from latent class analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
- How Green Space Justice in urban built-up areas affects public mental health: a moderated chain mediation model.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
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1 author at 1 institution in 1 country.
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Abstract
backgroundPsychological distress among adolescents negatively affects their academic performance, relationships with family and friends, and ability to participate fully in the community. Stressful life events in low-income countries and risk-taking behavior of adolescents have raised concerns regarding the impact of psychological distress among adolescents. Therefore, the present study estimated the prevalence of psychological distress and examined the high-risk behaviors associated with psychological distress among Ugandan adolescents.
methodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit 921 adolescents from 12 schools. Psychological distress was assessed using the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Logistic regression was used with p-value estimating regression coefficient and 95% confidence interval for odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (AOR).
resultsThe prevalence of psychological distress using the K10 was 57%. Logistic regression analyses showed that risky sexual behavior [AOR = 1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.28], substance use (AOR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.49-2.84) were associated with psychological distress. Students in mixed schools (comprising both sexes) (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI 1.19-3.15) and adolescents with chronic illness (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.18-2.38) were more likely to report psychological distress.
conclusionThe prevalence of psychological distress among school-going adolescents is high. Risky sexual behavior, substance use as well as chronic illness were associated with psychological distress. In addition, the type of school was significantly associated with psychological distress. The findings suggest the need for policy makers and stakeholders in health and education sectors to institute measures that will address mental health issues among adolescents.
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