Factors Affecting Depression in high School Students in a School in Sakon Nakhon Province

Abstract

Depression in adolescence is a predominant problem because it affects, not only, the adolescents themselves, but also their family, and society. This research aimed to study depression and factors affecting depression among high school students in a school in Sakon Nakhon Province. Random sampling was used to recruited a sample of 231 students into the study. Six research instruments were used: 1) A general information questionnaire, 2) a family connectedness questionnaire, 3) a negative life event questionnaire, 4) a resilience evaluation form, 5) an internet usage questionnaire, and 6) a depression questionnaire The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the questionnaires were 0.74, 0.87, 0.86, 0.92 and 0.81, respectively, indicating acceptable reliability. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Stepwise regression analysis.

Results: The research found that 98.75% of participants were classified as having no depression. Factor affecting depression among upper secondary school students the most was resilience (=-.490, p < .001) and the second most was Internet usage (=.225, p < .05).  The results suggested that health-related personnel, nurses, teachers, and personnel working with adolescents should develop programs to promote mental health to prevent depression in adolescents by strengthening their resilience and promoting appropriate internet use. Moreover, surveillance activities also need to be included in the program to promote their mental health and to prevent depression developing among secondary school students.