FACTORS AFFECTING DEPRESSION OF UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MUEANG CHONBURI DISTRICT CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to study the depression and factors affecting depression of upper secondary school students in Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi Province. The 387 subjects were selected. Research instruments included questionnaires concerning personal data, family connectedness, friendship intimacy, internet addiction, resilience and depression in adolescents. The reliability of is questionnaires were 0.93, 0.70, 0.82, 0.88 and 0.74 respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis.

The research found that 65.60% of samples were classified as no depression, 34.40 % of samples were classified as depression. Factors affecting depression of upper secondary school students were sex (β = 3.090, p<0.001), family connectedness (β = -0.243, p<0.001), internet addiction (β = 0.887, p<0.001) and resilience (β = -0.173, p<0.001). All factors affecting the depression of upper secondary school students by 41.5 % (R² = 0.415, p<0.001).

The results showed that sex, family connectedness, internet addiction and resilience influenced on depression among upper secondary school students. Therefore, personnel related to education and public health fields should organize activities that promote family connectedness, reduce internet addiction and increase resilience of upper secondary school students in order to prevent depression and help promote good mental health for the students as well.