Evaluation of Mental Health State in Veterans Family (15-18 Y/O Adolescents)

Document Type : Original Research

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Abstract

Introduction. Subject show that 20-25% of adolescents suffer from psychological disorders. Family factors, especially psychological disorders of parents, are important risk factors for psychiatric health in adolescence. Material and Method. In a cross- sectional study throughout the country, 5317 adolescents aged between 15-18 y/o, fulfilled a general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a demographic one during the summer IMAM KHOMEINI festival in LAVASAN. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and statistical tests (Variance & Pierson). Results. Health state levels were meaningfully different in boys and girls in all of the four subscales (64% in girls and 72.2% in boys). As the adolescents grow elder, the healthy feeling is decreased. Number of sisters and brothers, parental education and father’s occupational state, significantly influence the level of mental health in all four subscales. There is also a positive correlation between child’s educational development and his/her mental health state. Those, whose parents suffer from psychological disorders, feel less healthy. Adolescents from GYLAN province, showed the least mental health level.Discussion. Based upon the cut-off point of 5.5 for the scales of GHQ questionnaire, 36% of girls and 26.8% boys suffer from psychiatric symptoms. High prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in our study group can be due to the problems and stressors of fathers which not only affect the veteran himself, but also his family.

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Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 7, Issue 3 - Serial Number 21
September and October 2005
Pages 203-209

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