Predictors of mental health problems among adolescents. The relationship between life events, bullying, and resilience

Abstract

This thesis examined predictors of mental health problems such as demographic variables, life events, bullying, cyber-bullying and resilience, in addition to estimate the prevalence of different mental health problems among adolescents in a small municipality in Northern-Norway. The sample (N =158) were pupils’ attending primary schools (46% girls and 54% boys, response rate 31%). The participants completed an online questionnaire assessing mental health problems (SDQ; Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer Problem, Conduct Problem, Emotional Problem and Total Difficulties), demographic variables, risk variables (negative life events and stressors, bullying and cyber-bullying) and protective variables (resilience). Descriptive statistics and correlations were computed, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted for predicting mental health problems. Approximately, 19% scored above the cut-off value for the Total Difficulties Score on SDQ indicating some mental health problems. The findings also indicated a significant gender difference where girls displayed more emotional problems than boys, and also a higher Total Difficulties Score on SDQ. The results indicated a strong positive correlations between the risk factors such as being bullied and life events, and the Total Difficulties Score (SDQ), whereas resilience factors were negatively related to Total Difficulties. The regression analyses indicated that mental health problems were mostly predicted by risk factors such as life events and bullying, and that resilience as a protective factor added significant variance to the prediction of mental health problems. The regression model explained 59% of the variance in the Total Difficulties Score, and between 22% and 61% for the different SDQ sub scales. Implications of the findings for mental health prevention in the municipality were discussed.