Exploring Adolescent Mental Health: Insights from a National Survey in Italy
Understanding the mental health of adolescents is critical in addressing the challenges they face and in developing effective interventions. A comprehensive study conducted in Italy provides valuable insights into the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation among adolescents. This blog post delves into the findings of this study, highlighting key aspects that contribute to our understanding of adolescent mental health.
Overview of the Study
The study is based on a national survey conducted among adolescents attending public upper secondary schools in Italy. A two-stage stratified cluster sample was used to ensure a nationally representative sample. The survey covered 4288 respondents, of whom 41.2% were female. The participants were selected from 45 schools across 15 large cities, representing various types of schools in the Italian education system: vocational institutes, technical institutes, and lyceums. The geographical distribution of the sample was also carefully considered, with respondents from the North-West, North-East, Centre, South, and Islands of Italy.
Methodology
The survey was conducted using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) method between October 2021 and April 2022. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and their legal guardians, ensuring the ethical conduct of the study. The questionnaire, administered in the presence of research team members, comprised 77 questions covering various dimensions such as socio-economic background, family climate, lifestyle, social interactions, and psychological well-being.
Key Findings
1. Frequency of Suicidal Ideation: To assess suicidal ideation, participants were asked how often they had thoughts about suicide. Responses were categorized into three groups: 'never' (55.1%), 'only once' (23.2%), and 'more than once' (21.7%). This classification helped identify adolescents at higher risk based on the frequency of their suicidal thoughts.
2. Socio-Demographic Variables:
Parental Economic Status: Perceived economic status of parents was categorized into four levels: low (11%), medium–low (31.8%), medium–high (44.6%), and high (12.6%).
Parental Cultural Status: Educational levels of parents were categorized into low (19.6%), medium (49.2%), and high (31.2%).
Religious Beliefs: Respondents were classified as believers or non-believers based on their adherence to religious beliefs.
3. Social Interaction Variables:
Quality of Peer Friendships: Assessed using a semantic differential technique, 63.8% of respondents reported high-quality friendships.
Peer Friendship Network Size: The majority had one to three close friends (50.9%).
Frequency of Peer Interactions: 46.6% met friends two or more times a week.
Peer Friendship Satisfaction: 44.1% were very satisfied with their friendships.
Quality of Parent-Child Relationships: High-quality relationships were reported by 32.3% with mothers and 29.7% with fathers.
4. Psychological Variables:
Individual Well-Being: A composite variable representing positive individual well-being, categorized into high positive well-being and high negative well-being based on self-esteem, psychological distress, happiness, and satisfaction levels.
Self-Esteem: Measured using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, with 49.3% of respondents having healthy self-esteem.
Psychological Distress: Assessed using the Kessler scale, with 29.5% reporting high levels of distress.
Body Satisfaction: 55.9% were satisfied with their bodies.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on the multifaceted aspects of adolescent mental health in Italy. By understanding the prevalence and contributing factors to suicidal ideation, researchers and policymakers can develop targeted interventions to support the mental well-being of adolescents. The findings emphasize the importance of considering socio-demographic factors, social interactions, and individual psychological variables in addressing the mental health needs of young people.
For a more comprehensive analysis and detailed findings, refer to the full study conducted by the Italian National Research Council.