Factors Affecting Mental Health Among Adolescents

This work aims at studying the factors that affect mental health among adolescents. The mental health status of any individual is important since it even affects the relationship among people. For adolescents, their mental health status affects how effective they are in their day to day duties, their sense of satisfaction, he feeling of being generally happy about life, their ability to maintain socially acceptable and humane behaviours and also the power or willingness to approach and be content with the realities in life (Sankar, Wani, & R., 2017). Sound mental health among adolescents is therefore a key pillar to not only have good life among the adolescents, but also to having a socially upright society. This is so because the population of adolescents in the world is high and therefore, their behavior has significant impacts to the whole society (Moffitt, 2015). 

There are several factors that affect mental health among adolescents (Kieling et al., 2011). Many studies have been carried out to determine these factors that significantly contribute to the mental health being of adolescents. In this study, the two main factors assumed to affect the mental health status of adolescents that are being considered are socio economic status and parental marital status. Considering the current status of the society on the world, it can be confirmed even without findings from studies that indeed the economic status of families coupled with marital status of families, have significant effects on the mental health status of adolescents. Several studies have been made to confirm this assumption. Findings from (Reiss, 2013), (Miech et al., 1999) and (Goodman et al., 2003) all confirm that indeed socio economic status is a significant factor that affects he mental status of adolescents. Additionally, several studies have also been carried out on the effect of parents’ marital status on mental health status of adolescents. From the studies selected and reviewed, it is evident that indeed parents’ marital status had significant effects on the mental health of adolescents (Saucier & Ambert, 1983) and (Ackard et al., 2006) revealed that indeed Moreover, some of the reviewed studies included other factors to check on their relationship with mental health status of adolescent. The additional factors include gender, race/ethnicity. 

Diagram of Review Process 

Articles used for review in this study are all peer reviewed. The articles were searched from several websites using different key words. One of the main website that was used to search for the articles is google scholar. Google scholar is a web search engine that lists scholarly articles in many disciplines and publishing formats. While searching for articles about the dependent variable, that is mental health in adolescents, the keyword “mental health in adolescents” was used. Many articles were obtained, preferably articles that are not too old. In cases where newer articles were not found, old articles that did not have newer versions, but were studies about mental health in adolescents were used to gather information about the dependent variable. 

Another source of the articles that was used was PsycNET, which is a search engine under the American Psychological Association. This search engine contains al studies that have been conducted on the various issues under psychology. The independent variables in this study were the factors that affect mental health among adolescents. The independent variables were socio economic status and parents’ marital status. To search for all the studies that were done under socio economic status and adolescents’ mental health, the search statement “socio economic status on the mental health of adolescents” was used. To search for all studies that focused on parents’ marital status and mental health of adolescents, the statement “parents’ marital status on adolescents’ mental health” was used. Several articles were obtained and reviewed. 

There are three more factors that were considered to affect mental health in adolescents. The factors are mainly intervening variables which include gender, race and parents’ education. Some of the studies that were done on the main predictor variables that is, socioeconomic status and parents’ marital status also included some of the above mentioned intervening variables. In some cases however, gender, race or parental were directly compared to adolescents’ mental health. In such cases keywords such as “Gender on adolescents’ mental health” were used to check on the effect of gender on mental health of adolescents. To check on the effects of race on adolescents’ mental health, the keywords “Race on adolescents ‘mental health” were used. According to some studies, parents’ mental health had an effect on the mental health of adolescents. To confirm this assumption, the keywords “Parents’ education on adolescents’ mental health were used to find studies that checked the effect of parents’ education on the mental health status of adolescents. 

After using keywords in relevant websites to find articles related to this study, several factors were considered before each of the articles was selected for review in the study of factors affecting mental health in adolescents. First, articles that were selected into this study must have been peer reviewed. This is essential to make sure that whatever findings were obtained in these studies were reviewed by other people other than the authors. This is important since it confirms that the findings are reliable. Additionally, each article that was selected into this study must have been relatively new. In cases where studies were done on the same topic, the most recent one was selected for this review. However in some cases, only some studies were done in particular topics linking our selected factors to adolescents’ mental health. In such cases, the study was picked since there was no newer version of such studies. 

Description of Articles in Review 

The findings in table 1 above present a summary of the 20 articles that have been selected for this study. The table outlines the various sample sizes, methods of data collection and the method used during analysis of data. As stated before, all the articles are touching on the study topic, that is: Factors that affect mental health among adolescents. 

The first column outlines all the authors and year of publishing for all the selected articles. Column two shows the sample sizes used in the elected studies. As seen in the able, some of the articles used actual respondents for analysis of the data. That is the findings in the study were not presented by any other study before them. For some of the selected studies however, the findings represents article reviews for previous published works that were done in line with factors affecting mental health in adolescents. For articles involving actual first time studies, the smallest sample size was n = 40 respondents (Sankar, Wani, & R., 2017), while the largest sample size was n = 15, 112 adolescents (Goodman et al., 2003). For the articles that involved article review, the least number of studies used for review was 1 (Kieling et al., 2011). The highest number of studies used for a review according to the selected studies were 55 (Reiss, 2013). 

The second column outlines the method used during collection of data from the selected samples involved in the selected studies above. From the table findings, some of the studies used similar methods during data collection, even though they applied totally different methods during analysis of data as shown in column three. Some of the studies used questionnaires to collect data (Sankar, Wani, & R., 2017; Saucier & Ambert, 1983). Other studies used administrative data (Miech et al., 1999; Wilkinson & Andersson, 2018; Solantaus et al., 2004). One of the selected studies used data collected during a baseline survey (Torres & Santiago, 2018), while other studies used project survey data (Ackard et al., 2006). Moreover, some of the selected studies used previously published studies as their source of information (Moffitt, 2015; Kieling et al., 2011; Reiss, 2013). 

The third column outlines the methods used during analysis of the collected data from the selected samples involved in the various studies. From the information gathered, 6 of the selected studies applied descriptive analysis to analyze the collected data (Goodman et al., 2003; Ackard et al., 2006; Shramko et al., 2018; Talavera et al., 2018; Spiker, 2014; and McKay & Cole, 2017). 5 other studies used the logistic regression analysis (Torres & Santiago, 2018; Yohannan et al., 2017; Ybrandt & Armelius, 2010; Everett, 2001; Christopoulos, 2001). From the information given in table 1, 3 of the selected studies used a longitudinal panel research approach to obtain the required results from the collected data (Miech et al., 1999; Wilkinson & Andersson, 2018; Solantaus et al., 2004). Among the selected studies, 2 applied the t-test during analysis of data (Sankar, Wani, & R., 2017; Saucier & Ambert, 1983). Additionally, other 3 studies from the selected ones which reviewed previous studies that have been done and published used descriptive research to present the required findings (Moffitt, 2015; Kieling et al., 2011; Reiss, 2013). Lastly, 1 of the selected studies used a chi- square test coupled with a t-test during data analysis (Surís, Parera, & Puig, 1998). Descriptive research involves using frequencies in form of counts or percentages to explain the magnitude with which a certain factor is present in a particular study. This method therefore, does not use complicated statistical approaches like other types of analysis approaches. 

Findings 

The results in table 2 show the findings that were obtained from the selected studies for this review, to determine factors that affect mental health among adolescents. As seen in the table, 20 studies were selected for review. Among the studies, 12 studies confirmed that low income was a contributing factor to adolescents’ mental health, 8 of the studies confirmed that adolescents from single parents are more prone to mental health, 10 studies confirmed that male adolescents are more prone to mental health problems, 10 studies confirmed that adolescents from minority races are more likely to be mentally unstable, while 3 other studies confirmed that parents with little education or no education at all contributed to adolescents having more mental problems. Findings in table 2 are summarized below. 

From ( Kieling et al., 2011), which is included in table 2, mental health problems affect about 20% of all the adolescents worldwide. The study further revealed that the mental health problems among adolescents are often ignored by the society especially in low income and middle income countries. From the analysis results in this study, it was evident that economic status and mental health had a significant relationship. The findings showed that low socioeconomic status lead to more mental health problems among adolescents. 

According to another study in table 2, that is, (Miech et al., 1999), low socioeconomic status had significant associations with adolescents’ mental health status. The researchers compared anxiety, depression, anti- social disorder and attention deficit disorder to socioeconomic status among young Caucasian adults. The study results revealed that there was a unique relationship between each type of mental disorder and low socio economic status among the adolescents. 

Another study among the selected ones in table 2, studied the relationship between socioeconomic inequalities and mental health problems among adolescents and children. The study reviewed 55 previously conducted studies, which majored on the relationships between various major indicators of socioeconomic status and mental health status among adolescents. The findings revealed that 52 studies among those reviewed showed that there was a negative relationship between socioeconomic status and mental health status of children and adolescents. Further, the findings revealed that adolescents that are disadvantaged economically are 3 times more likely to develop mental problems compared to those who were socioeconomically important. Additionally, increased low socioeconomic status in a long period of time was related to higher mental health issues among adolescents. The study therefore concluded that socioeconomic status was indeed a significant factor that affects the mental health status of adolescents. 

An additional study as outlined in table 2, was checking on the impact of socioeconomic status on depression among adolescents ( Goodman et al., 2003). Findings from the study revealed that the population risk of having mental health problems based on the socioeconomic status was significantly high. Therefore, adolescents with low socioeconomic status were at a high risk of becoming depressed. This further confirms that indeed socioeconomic status is a significant factor affecting mental health status among adolescents. 

Some of the selected studies checked on the relationship between parents’ marital status and mental health status of adolescents. One study used 100 students who were adolescents, half from divorced parents and half from intact families, to study the above relationship ( Christopoulos, 2001). Findings from this study, students from divorced families were more susceptible to psychological problems compared to students from intact families. The findings further revealed that students from divorced families reported more complaints about depression compared to those from families that had stable marriages. These findings confirm that indeed parents’ marital status was a significant factor affecting mental health among adolescents. 

Another study concentrated on the relationship between parents’ marital status and adolescents socially risky behaviors (Surís et al., 1998). 3014 adolescents were studied, where some of them were from marriage stable families and some from divorced families. The findings revealed that adolescents from divorced families were more likely to exhibit socially unacceptable behaviors. The study further linked adolescents from divorced families to the use of drugs and inappropriate sexual behaviors, as opposed to their peers from intact families, who exhibited socially acceptable acts. These findings therefore confirmed that parents’ marital status was indeed a significant factor affecting adolescents’ mental health status. 

Additionally, one more selected studies focused on studying the relationship between marital status and mental health (Spiker, 2014). The study findings first linked marriage to low depression, suicide thoughts, anxiety and substance abuse. The study further indicated that string and intact marriages led to lower mental health problems among children and adolescents in the family. These findings further confirm that parents’ marital status is indeed a significant factor that affects mental health status among adolescents. 

Among the selected studies, some of them checked on how the intervening variables are related to adolescents’ mental health. Some of the studies confirmed that indeed gender is a significant contributor on the mental health status of adolescents. The studies particularly found out that male adolescents are more prone to mental health problems that the female adolescents (Saucier & Ambert, 1983; Kieling et al., 2011; Reiss, 2013; Talavera et al., 2018; McKay & Cole, 2017; Wilkinson & Andersson, 2018; Everett, 2001; Spiker, 2014). 

Considering race, some of the studies selected for review found out that race is a significant factor that determines mental health status of adolescent. Some of the studies confirmed that adolescents from minority races were more prone to psychological problems caused by feeling stigmatized or reduced by people from the majority races (Goodman et al., 2003; Torres & Santiago, 2018; Shramko et al., 2018; Talavera et al., 2018). 

Lastly, parental education was also considered to be one of the intervening variables in the study on factors affecting adolescents’ mental health. Some of the selected studies’ findings, as shown in table 2, confirmed that indeed parental education was a significant predictor of adolescents’ mental health. The findings confirmed that adolescents whose parents had poor education were more prone to mental health problems that adolescents whose parents’ were well educated (Goodman et al., 2003; Wilkinson & Andersson, 2018; Miech et al., 1999). 

Conclusions 

This study review aimed at determining the factors that may affect the mental health of adolescents. Several factors were considered by reviewing previously conducted studies, to ascertain which among them had a significant effect on adolescents’ mental health. From the findings it was evident that the two main factors, that is, socio economic status and parents’ marital status had significant effects on adolescents’ mental health. Additionally, several other factors were also found to have some effects on adolescents’ mental health. The factors are gender, race and parents’ level of education. 

Table 1 :

Factors that Affect Mental Health in Adolescents, Sample, Method and Analysis 

Study Authors	Sample	Method	DV & IV	Analysis
Sankar, Wani, & R., 2017	40 respondents in two groups (20 boys and 20 girls). Each group further divided into two groups ( 10 subjects under 13-15 years, 10 under 16-19 years)	Data collected using questionnaires	DV: Adolescents’ mental health  IV: Parents’ economic status, Marital status, Gender and Race.	T- test
Saucier & Ambert, 1983	2573 Montreal Francophone teenagers in school	Data collected using questionnaires	DV: Adolescents’ mental health  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender.	T- test
Surís, Parera, & Puig, 1998	3014 adolescents	Administrative data	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Gender, Parents’ marital status.	Chi- square test, T-test
Torres & Santiago, 2018;	105 low income Latino adolescents	Baseline assessment	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Gender and Race.	Logistic regression analysis
Yohannan et al. 2017	1006 low income youth	Baseline assessment	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ income, Race.	Logistic regression analysis
Ybrandt & Armelius, 2010;	199 nonclinical adolescents	Baseline assessment	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Gender.	Logistic regression analysis
Everett, 2001;	436 adolescents	Data collected using questionnaires	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Gender.	Logistic regression analysis
Christopoulos, 2001	100 university students	Data collected using questionnaires	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Race.	Logistic regression analysis
Goodman et al., 2003	15, 112 adolescents in public health records	Data collected using questionnaires	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Parents’ marital status, Gender and Race.	Descriptive analysis
Ackard et al., 2006	4746 students in public schools	Project survey	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Gender.	Descriptive analysis
Shramko et al., 2018	219 school going Latino youth	Data collected using questionnaires	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender, Race.	Descriptive analysis
Talavera et al., 2018	276 respondents	Data collected using questionnaire	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender, Race.	Descriptive analysis
Spiker, 2014	142 adolescents	Data collected using questionnaire	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Gender.	Descriptive analysis
McKay & Cole, 2017	10, 000 residents of Belfast and Derry towns	Administrative data	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender, Race.	Descriptive analysis
Miech et al., 1999	1521 respondents	Administrative data	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Race, Gender and Parents’ education.	Longitudinal panel research
Wilkinson & Andersson, 2018	5426 young adults	Administrative data	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender, Race, Parents’ education.	Longitudinal panel research
Solantaus et al., 2004	357 adolescents	Administrative data	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status.	Longitudinal panel research
Moffitt, 2015	4 previous studies	Previous studies focusing on adolescent antisocial behavior	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ marital status, Gender and Parents’ economic status.	Review/ Descriptive.
Kieling et al., 2011	1 previous study	Previous study on adolescent mental health	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender.	Review/ Descriptive.
Reiss, 2013	55 published studies	Previous studies on socioeconomic inequalities and mental health	DV: Adolescents’ mental health.  IV: Parents’ economic status, Gender, Parents’ education.	Review/ Descriptive.

Table 2 : 

Factors that Affect Mental Health in Adolescents, Independent Factors 

Study	Low Income	Single/Never Married	Male	Minority Race/Ethnicity	Parents not Educated
Saucier & Ambert, 1983	Yes	--	Yes	--	--
Ybrandt & Armelius, 2010	--	Yes	ND	--	--
Goodman, Slap et al., 2003	Yes	--	--	Yes	Yes
Kieling et al., 2011	Yes	--	Yes	--	--
Christopoulos, 2001	--	Yes	--	Yes	--
Reiss, 2013	Yes	--	Yes	--	ND
Ackard et al., 2006	--	Yes	ND	--	--
Torres & Santiago, 2018	Yes	--	--	Yes	--
Moffitt, 2015	--	Yes	Yes	--	--
Shramko et al., 2018	Yes	--	ND	Yes	--
Talavera et al., 2018	Yes	--	Yes	Yes	--
Sankar, Wani, & R., 2017	--	Yes	ND	Yes	--
Yohannan et al., 2017	Yes	--	--	Yes	--
Spiker, 2014	--	Yes	Yes	--	--
McKay & Cole, 2017	Yes	--	Yes	Yes	--
Surís, et al., 1998	--	Yes	Yes	--	--
Wilkinson & Andersson, 2018	Yes	--	Yes	Yes	Yes
Solantaus et al., 2004	Yes	--	--	--	--
Miech et al., 1999	Yes	--	--	Yes	Yes
Everett, 2001	--	Yes	Yes	--	--

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