Prevalence of Mental Health Issues in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Publisher: Bicol University PDF

Abstract

The Psychological outbreak brought by the Covid-19 pandemic has challenged the mental health of adolescents. The study determined the prevalence of adolescents’ mental health issues as to anxiety and depression and the factors associated with them. Descriptive-correlational design through survey technique was used as the method. Respondents were Bicol University college students (588) from different colleges. Results revealed that the prevalence of adolescents’ mental health issues as to anxiety and depression increased to more than 20%, which were highly affected by academic demands and personal conditions. A significant association was found between age and year level to the level of anxiety. At the same time, a significant association was also found between depression and age, year level, and the source of adolescents’ social support implying that younger adolescents experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. Relationship of anxiety and depression to factors like academic demands, family/ home life, economic difficulties, personal condition, and social relation were all significantly associated with depression, while no significant association was found between adolescents’ level of anxiety in all the five factors. Given the increase in the prevalence rate of anxiety and depression of younger and lower year level students, the findings may serve as a basis for developing an intervention program for the promotion of the mental health of adolescents amid this health crisis.