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Adolescents' Reflections on Mental Health: Key Findings From a 13-Country Qualitative Study
Shoshanna L Fine1, Joanna Lai2, Michelle R M Baack3
1Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
Summary
Adolescents worldwide perceive mental health challenges as distress, influenced by social and environmental factors like poverty and violence. They often cope without adequate support, highlighting a need for accessible, non-clinical interventions.
Area of Science:
- Global Mental Health
- Adolescent Psychology
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical developmental stage for mental health.
- Limited qualitative research exists on adolescent perspectives of mental health challenges globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore adolescents' understanding of mental health challenges.
- To identify key risk and protective factors affecting adolescent mental health.
- To understand adolescent coping strategies across diverse cultures.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 71 focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescents across 13 diverse countries.
- Stratified FGDs by sex and age within each country.
- Analyzed verbatim transcripts of discussions.
Main Results:
- Adolescents describe mental health issues as distress (sadness, loneliness) rather than clinical disorders.
- Key influences include family adversity, peer/school issues, violence, poverty, and gender norms.
- Significant barriers to help-seeking lead to adolescents coping with insufficient support.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents emphasize social and environmental factors in mental health.
- There is a critical need for enhanced formal and informal support systems.
- A non-diagnostic approach may better serve adolescents needing mental health assistance.
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