Factors Associated with Stress among Grade 9 Students at a Secondary School in Bangkok

Abstract

This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at examining the level of stress and factors associated with stress among Grade 9 students at a secondary school in Bangkok. The sample consisted of 421 Grade 9 students, selected through a purposive sampling method based on specific inclusion criteria: being current Grade 9 students at the target school, obtaining parental consent and volunteering to participate, and being able to complete the questionnaire in its entirety. The research instruments included a general information questionnaire and the Stress Test of the Department of Mental Health (ST-20), which demonstrated a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.70. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression, with the statistical significance level set at 0.05.

The results revealed that the majority of students had stress at a normal level 91.40%, while 8.60% were found to have high levels of stress, which were classified as a high-risk group requiring prompt consultation with a psychiatrist. Factors significantly associated with students’ stress included female sex (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.10–4.54), poor peer relationships (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.06–4.00), inability to manage personal time (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.15–4.48), family conflicts (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.03–4.00), and having personal health problems (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.10–4.16).

The findings reflect that students’ stress problems and mental health–risk behaviors arise from multiple dimensions, including individual, family, and school social factors. Therefore, schools and relevant agencies should develop systematic mental health screening and care systems for students, alongside promoting stress management skills, emotional adjustment, and positive interpersonal relationships, in order to prevent and sustainably reduce the risk of mental health problems among adolescents.