Psychological Distress Among High School Students in Bangkok Thailand

Introduction
This study investigated psychological distress among high school students in Thailand.
A sample of 8,345 students from thirty-five Bangkok schools voluntarily participated, responding to a questionnaire and undergoing stress assessments. Socio-demographic factors including grade level, school scale, hometown, parental marital status, presence of siblings, gender, health conditions, online classes, and family monthly income were analyzed.
Results
Of the participants, 1,087 (13.02%) experienced psychological distress. Grade level, school scale, hometown, parental marital status, and siblings’ presence showed no significant associations with distress. However, being female or transgender correlated with higher distress levels. Students with health issues and those in online classes also experienced elevated distress. Additionally, a family monthly income below 10,000 Thai Baht was associated with distress.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on factors contributing to psychological distress in high school students. It highlights the need for tailored support for vulnerable groups within the student population, emphasizing the role of educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals in addressing these challenges.
1. Chandra A, Batada A. Exploring stress and coping among urban African American adolescents: the Shifting the Lens study. Prev Chronic Dis. 2006;3(2):A40.
2. Hertz MF, Everett Jones S, Barrios L, David-Ferdon C, Holt M. Association Between Bullying Victimization and Health Risk Behaviors Among High School Students in the United States. J Sch Health. 2015;85(12):833-842. doi:10.1111/josh.12339
3. Zimmerman M, Morgan TA, Stanton K. The severity of psychiatric disorders. World Psychiatry. 2018;17(3):258-275. doi:10.1002/wps.20569
4. World Health Organization. Mental health of adolescents. December 9, 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
5. Lee J. Mental health effects of school closures during COVID-19. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2020;4(6):421. doi:10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30109-7
6. Viner RM, Ozer EM, Denny S, et al. Adolescence and the social determinants of health. Lancet. 2012;379(9826):1641-1652. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(12)60149-4
7. Deng Y, Cherian J, Khan NUN, et al. Family and Academic Stress and Their Impact on Students’ Depression Level and Academic Performance. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:869337. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869337
8. Rasheed N. Prolonged Stress Leads to Serious Health Problems: Preventive Approaches. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2016;10(1):V-vi. doi:10.12816/0031211
9. Loades ME, Chatburn E, Higson-Sweeney N, et al. Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020;59(11):1218-1239.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.009
10. Marques de Miranda D, da Silva Athanasio B, Sena Oliveira AC, Simoes ESAC. How is COVID-19 pandemic impacting mental health of children and adolescents? Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2020;51:101845. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101845
11. Wider W, Chua BS, Mutang JA, Pan LC. Secondary school students’ school-related stressors during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Sabah, Malaysia. Frontiers in Education. Published online May 12, 2023:8. doi:10.3389/feduc.2023.1138226
12. Achariyaviriya W, Hayashi Y, Takeshita H, Kii M, Vichiensan V, Theeramunkong T. Can Space–Time Shifting of Activities and Travels Mitigate Hyper-Congestion in an Emerging Megacity, Bangkok? Effects on Quality of Life and CO2 Emission. Sustainability. 2021;13(12):6547. doi:10.3390/su13126547
13. Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG, et al. Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790
14. Ponkosonsirilert T, Laemsak O, Pisitsungkagarn K, Jarukasemthawee S, Audboon S, Leangsuksant T. Stress, self-compassion, and school burnout in Thai high school students. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2020;34(5):343-349. doi:10.1515/ijamh-2020-0109
15. Suwathanpornkul I, Sarnkhaowkhom C, Tulmethakaan M, Sakuntanak P, Charoensuk OU. Learning loss and psychosocial issues among Thai students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: the perspectives of teachers in the online classroom. BMC Psychol. 2023;11(1):232. doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01269-1
16. Altemus M, Sarvaiya N, Neill Epperson C. Sex differences in anxiety and depression clinical perspectives. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2014;35(3):320-330. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.05.004
17. Hankin BL, Mermelstein R, Roesch L. Sex differences in adolescent depression: stress exposure and reactivity models. Child Dev. 2007;78(1):279-295. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.00997.x
18. Meyer IH. Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychol Bull. 2003;129(5):674-697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674
19. Newman PA, Chakrapani V, Williams C, et al. An eHealth Intervention for Promoting COVID-19 Knowledge and Protective Behaviors and Reducing Pandemic Distress Among Sexual and Gender Minorities: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (#SafeHandsSafeHearts). JMIR Res Protoc. 2021;10(12):e34381. doi:10.2196/34381
20. Meade J. Mental Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents: A Review of the Current Research. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2021;68(5):945-959. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2021.05.003
21. Barrot JS, Llenares II, del Rosario LS. Students’ online learning challenges during the pandemic and how they cope with them: The case of the Philippines. Education and Information Technologies. 2021;26(6):7321-7338. doi:10.1007/s10639-021-10589-x
22. Aslan H, Pekince H. Nursing students’ views on the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceived stress levels. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021;57(2):695-701. doi:10.1111/ppc.12597
23. Ahnquist J, Wamala SP, Lindstrom M. Social determinants of health--a question of social or economic capital? Interaction effects of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes. Soc Sci Med. 2012;74(6):930-939. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.11.026
24. Sulz LD, Gleddie DL, Kinsella C, Humbert ML. The health and educational impact of removing financial constraints for school sport. Eur Phy Educ Rev. 2023;29(1):3-21. doi:10.1177/1356336x221104909