Latefa Ali Dardas|Susan G. Silva|Moria J. Smoski|Devon Noonan|Leigh Ann Simmons
The prevalence of depressive symptoms among Arab adolescents: Findings from Jordan
University of Jordan|Duke University|Duke University Hospital|Duke Medical Center|Duke University|Duke University Hospital|Duke Medical Center|Duke University|Duke University
abstract background lack research regarding current profile adolescent depression arab countries general jordan particular makes difficult design implement disseminate effective interventions improve prevention diagnosis treatment adolescent depression region purpose study estimate national prevalence depressive symptoms among adolescents jordan identify characteristics associated severity depression methods descriptive crosssectional nationally representative school survey utilized total 2349 jordanian adolescents aged 1217 completed returned survey packets included beck depression inventory ii measures sociodemographics health history participants represented three regions country 34 northern suburban region 43 central urban region 23 southern rural region results majority adolescents females 59 1517 years old 67 almost 14 reported least one chronic health problem 15 reported mental health problem 25 reported academic difficulties 8 reported received psychiatric diagnosis 22 reported sought psychological help point past mean total depression score 163 sd 112 95 ci 158167 34 sample reporting moderate severe depression depression significantly higher among respondents female ages 1415 years living families low monthly incomes reported chronic health problem mental health problem learning difficulty psychiatric diagnosis andor seeking previous psychological help conclusions findings serve alarm particularly given rates depression arab countries expected increase rapidly context arab spring healthcare providers researchers educators focus attention developing effective culturally appropriate screening prevention intervention approaches using evidencebased guidelines promote jordanian adolescent mental health particularly depression