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Psychological distress among Canadian adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Carl D'Arcy  and
C. M. Siddique
Carl D'Arcy*
Affiliation:
Applied Research Unit, Psychiatric Research, Saskatchewan Health, Saskatoon, Canada
C. M. Siddique
Affiliation:
Applied Research Unit, Psychiatric Research, Saskatchewan Health, Saskatoon, Canada
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Carl D'Arcy, Applied Research Unit, Psychiatric Research, CMR Building, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0X0.
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Synopsis

This paper examines a comprehensive set of data on the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in a sample of 1038 adolescent students in a major urban area of a Canadian prairie province. About 27% of the students reported 6 or more symptoms of psychological distress on the GHQ-30. The frequency of symptoms varied with age, grade level and average marks, with sex being the most significant variation. ‘Anxiety’ and ‘social dysfunction’ were the most frequent symptom dimensions reported. More detailed analysis of possible predictors of mental health showed that the nature and quality of family life strongly affected adolescent mental health. Adolescents' positive evaluation of their school atmosphere and peer group life and their locus of control orientation also positively influenced their psychological well-being.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , August 1984 , pp. 615 - 628
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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