ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH CHARACTERISTICS ASSESSED USING THE STRENGTHS AND DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE (SDQ): A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62354/jurnalmedicare.v5i4.500Abstract
Background: Adolescence represents a turbulent transitional phase characterized by rapid biological, cognitive, and psychosocial restructuring, rendering youth highly vulnerable to emotional dysregulation and behavioral challenges. Early identification of mental health difficulties using standardized screening instruments is pivotal for timely preventive interventions.
Objective: To examine the comprehensive mental health profile of adolescents across emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity-inattention, peer relationship problems, prosocial behavior, and total difficulties using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 124 adolescent respondents from a senior high school in Situbondo Regency, Indonesia, selected via purposive sampling in 2025. Data were collected using the validated Indonesian self-report version of the SDQ. Univariate analysis was performed to determine absolute frequency distributions and percentages across established cut-off categories (normal, borderline, and abnormal).
Results: All participants were female aged 16–18 years (mean age ~17.1 years; 45.2% aged 17), with 2.4% (n = 3) reporting a prior history of psychiatric disturbance. Across specific subscales, emotional problems demonstrated the highest abnormality (37.9% abnormal, 16.1% borderline), followed by peer relationship problems (54.8% borderline, 14.5% abnormal), conduct problems (21.8% abnormal, 16.1% borderline), and hyperactivity (10.5% abnormal, 12.9% borderline). Prosocial behavior remained intact in 89.5% of respondents. In the total difficulties index, 36.3% (n = 45) scored within the normal range, 27.4% (n = 34) were borderline, and 36.3% (n = 45) were abnormal, establishing that 63.7% of surveyed adolescents exhibited elevated risks of mental health difficulties.
Conclusion: Nearly two-thirds of the adolescent respondents demonstrated borderline or abnormal mental health screening profiles based on the SDQ Total Difficulties index, with emotional symptoms and peer relationship difficulties being the most prominent areas of concern. These findings provide a descriptive overview of adolescents' self-reported mental health characteristics rather than clinical psychiatric diagnoses.
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Keywords:
Adolescents, Emotional symptoms, Mental health, Peer problems, Screening, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)References
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