Exploring depression literacy among Malaysian secondary school adolescents using a vignette‑based questionnaire

Zakaria, Rozanizam and Ubaidah, Aishah Nazurah and Abdul Rasyid, Khadijah and Ramli, Rawahah Husna (2022) Exploring depression literacy among Malaysian secondary school adolescents using a vignette‑based questionnaire. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 31 Jul-Dec 2022 (2). pp. 53-59. ISSN 2232-0385

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Abstract

Introduction: Mental health literacy is an important element for better recognition of illness and early intervention. This study is aimed at exploring the level of literacy on depression among a sample of secondary school adolescents in Malaysia and the factors that determine their level of literacy regarding depression. Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was carried out among 462 secondary school students. Mental health literacy was assessed using the adapted mental health literacy survey using the case vignette method. The questionnaire consists of a set of open‑ended questions designed to elicit information regarding the respondents’ ability to identify depression in the case vignette and their ability to identify the appropriate help-seeking actions. Results: About 51.3% of students were able to identify depression, whereas 42.6% and 10.8% were able to identify appropriate help‑seeking and medical‑related help‑seeking actions, respectively. Multivariate analyses show gender and school demographic are predictors for the ability to correctly identify the problem. School demographic is identified as a predictor for the appropriate help-seeking actions, whereas gender, age, and race are predictors for medical-related help-seeking action. Conclusion: The ability of adolescents from this sample to identify depression is higher than the general population in Malaysia. However, their ability to identify treatment is still low. Adolescents who are male, younger, Malay, and come from rural areas are the target subpopulation that will require further actions to improve their mental health literacy.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Adolescents, depression, Malaysia, mental health literacy
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Psychiatry
Depositing User:	Dr Rozanizam Zakaria
Date Deposited:	05 Apr 2023 12:54
Last Modified:	05 Apr 2023 12:54
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/104277

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