Factors Associated with the level of Depression Risk among Senior High School Students in Pathum Thani Province
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Abstract
Abstract
This study aimed to examine factors associated with the level of depression risk among senior high school students in Pathum Thani Province. The sample consisted of 417 students selected through multistage sampling. Research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, a health literacy questionnaire, a social support questionnaire, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The instruments were tested for quality, with content validity indices ranging from 0.61 to 1.00 and reliability coefficients ranging from 0.88 to 0.90. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.
The results revealed that most students were at a severe level of depression risk (50.60%). Health literacy was predominantly at a moderate level (52.76%), while social support was at a high level (50.60%). Factors significantly associated with depression risk included gender, health literacy, and social support. Female students had a significantly higher risk of depression than male students (OR = 1.606, 95% CI = 1.084–2.378, p = 0.012). Students with low to moderate health literacy were more likely to be at risk of depression than those with high health literacy (OR = 2.119, 95% CI = 1.430–3.139, p < 0.001). Similarly, students receiving low to moderate levels of social support were more likely to experience depression risk compared to those receiving high levels of social support (OR = 2.071, 95% CI = 1.402–3.060, p < 0.001). Age was not significantly associated with depression risk.
These findings indicate that health literacy and social support are important factors in reducing depression risk among adolescents. The results provide empirical evidence for policy formulation, the development of school-based mental health promotion programs, and the strengthening of social support systems within families and communities to prevent and reduce depression severity and promote long-term well-being among adolescents.
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