Mental Health Problems Among Children and Adolescents affected by Continuous Insurgency in the Deep South of Thailand
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Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To assess the percentages of symptoms of PTSD and depression among Thai children and adolescents who have been affected by continuous insurgency and to identify factors associated with mental health problems in this group. Material and Methods: The mental health assessments were conducted among children
and adolescents aged 6 to 17 who were traumatized and lost significant ones in the Deep South of Thailand. The 198 children and adolescents were enrolled in this study. The PTSD Reaction
Index and Berleson Depression Scale were used to identify symptoms of PTSD and depression respectively.
Results: Percentages of PTSD among these children was 7.8% (male 1.7% : female 6.1%), depression was 15.2% (male 10.3% : female 22.0%). Factors significantly associated with depression were female [OR=3.0, p=0.03], having felt extreme panic and fear [OR=9.9, p=0.01], having felt themselves or family members been in danger [OR=3.4, p=0.02], and or schools damaged from insurgency [OR=9.0, p=0.05].
Conclusion: There was low percentages of symptoms of PTSD, and emotional problem among traumatized children and adolescents in the Deep South compared with other studies. Further research, especially that of risk and protective factors associated with psychological problems, is needed to provide preventive intervention.
Objective: To assess the percentages of symptoms of PTSD and depression among Thai children and adolescents who have been affected by continuous insurgency and to identify factors associated with mental health problems in this group. Material and Methods: The mental health assessments were conducted among children
and adolescents aged 6 to 17 who were traumatized and lost significant ones in the Deep South of Thailand. The 198 children and adolescents were enrolled in this study. The PTSD Reaction
Index and Berleson Depression Scale were used to identify symptoms of PTSD and depression respectively.
Results: Percentages of PTSD among these children was 7.8% (male 1.7% : female 6.1%), depression was 15.2% (male 10.3% : female 22.0%). Factors significantly associated with depression were female [OR=3.0, p=0.03], having felt extreme panic and fear [OR=9.9, p=0.01], having felt themselves or family members been in danger [OR=3.4, p=0.02], and or schools damaged from insurgency [OR=9.0, p=0.05].
Conclusion: There was low percentages of symptoms of PTSD, and emotional problem among traumatized children and adolescents in the Deep South compared with other studies. Further research, especially that of risk and protective factors associated with psychological problems, is needed to provide preventive intervention.
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How to Cite
Panyayong, B., & Lempong, R. (2013). Mental Health Problems Among Children and Adolescents affected by Continuous Insurgency in the Deep South of Thailand. Journal of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand, 54(4), 347–356. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JPAT/article/view/7684
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