Abstract:
The objective of the study was to modify, adapt and validate an instrument for detection of
emotional disorders as well as to estimate the prevalence of such illness in a school going
community.Factors associated with emotional disorders in this population were also
studied.An important finding of the study was the high prevalence (16.6 per cent) of the
feeling that " life is not worth living" among the study population irrespective of their
emotional health status.Furthermore, 4 per cent of this total population expressed suicidal
ideas.Both these are confirmed by the current high suicide rates observed nationally and
highlight the importance of instituting preventive action.The key source of emotional
distress in adolescents was identified as relationship with the family.This is related to the
findings of the study that corporal punishment and strictness of parents were important risk
factors for emotional disorders in the population studied. Part time employment of school
going adolescents was the other important risk factor.This needs further explorative
study.Another key finding of the present study was the association of emotional disorders
with the ability to grasp information.Participation in extra curricular activities was shown to
have an inverse relationship with emotional health.These findings highlight the need for
institutionalizing a screening program for this age group within the school setting.This has
to be perceded by extensive validation studies as well as assessment of acceptability and
economic feasibility. An important area of intervention would be the creation of increased
awareness in the community in general as well as programs directed towards improving
parenting practices. Education of teachers towards better understanding of emotional
changes associated with adolescence also appears very important.
