Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study, to determine the mental status of last-grade high school students and to inguire the relationship between their situation and some socio demographical variables.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 9042 last phase-high-school students having education in the 2005-2006 educational years in the centre of Malatya. 1225 last-grade students attending general, science and vocational high schools were included using stratified cluster sampling method. A 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and other data were collected using a questionnaire inguiring some socio demographic charestirstics were applied in the classes under supervision. The recommended cut off probable psychiatric morbidity between 1 and 2 of GHQ-12 was accepted. In the statistical evaluation of data was applied chi-square test and logistic regression method.

Results: 80.3% of the students participating in the study has been training in general state and science high-school and 19.7% in vocational schools. 69.4% of the students got 2 and over point from GHQ-12. This remark showed as “bad” of general mental health status, when compared to male students (64.5%), disorderly status were significantly high in female (75.2%) students (OR:1.66; CI=1.29-2.14). There was no relationship between disorder symptoms of mental status and parents’ educational status, family structure and having social security. On the other hand, according to the self statements of the students, the unsuccessful ones in school education had disorder status of general mental health by 3.78 fold (CI=2.35-6.07) higher than very successful students and by 1.59 fold (CI=1.19-2.11) higher than moderately successful students. The students with prior mental disorders had 5.32 fold (CI=2.55-11.09) higher disorderly status of mental health than the students without previous mental disorders.

Conclusion: The disorderly status of mental health in the students were detected fairly high. The students should be informed about the serious psychological changes and efficient guidance services should be provided.

Key Words: GHQ-12; Adolescent; High School Student.