Mental health and its determinants among adolescents living in families with separated or divorced parents in an urban area of Vietnam.

Abstract

Background: We assessed the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among adolescents living in families with separated or divorced parents in Hue City, Vietnam and identified factors associated with these conditions.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 309 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years, living in families with separated or divorced parents in Hue City, Vietnam. The depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to measure stress, anxiety, and depression. Predictors of overall and individual mental health problems were identified using ordered and binary logistic regression, respectively.

Results: The DASS-21 scale revealed a 49.2% prevalence of stress, while anxiety and depression had s prevalence rates of 61.5%. Among participants, 42.4% experienced all 3 mental health issues. Several factors were identified as significant predictors of mental health problems, including poor to average economic status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-3.31; p=0.007); being in high school (aOR, 5.02; 95% CI, 2.93-8.60; p<0.001); maternal occupation of teacher, healthcare professional, or official (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.13-5.03; p=0.022); longer duration of family separation or divorce (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05-1.45; p=0.009); living with one's mother (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.03-2.76; p=0.04); alcohol consumption (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.99-2.92; p=0.050); and being bullied (aOR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.10-25.69; p=0.037). Most of these factors were associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, smoking was associated with stress.

Conclusion: Adolescents with separated or divorced parents were at increased risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. The findings of this study provide important implications for prevention programs.