Psychosocial Factors Associated with Depression in Primary School Student in Dusit District

Abstract

Objective: To study psychosocial factors associated with depression in primary school students in Dusit District, Bangkok Metropolis.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Samples were 2,164 primary school students from 8 schools in Dusit District, Bangkok Metropolis. Study is made of 2 stages. First to screen depression by using Thai version of Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI-Thai) and second to confirm the diagnosis by clinical interview by child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Results: There were 2,164 students with mean age of 10.65 years, 46.3% were male. There are 35 students with depression which correlated to the prevalence of 1.6% (0.6% major depressive disorder, 0.9% dysthymia, and 0.1% depressive disorder not otherwise specified.) Six psychosocial factors were statistically significantly associated with depression: age older than 11 years (OR 3.966), last examination grade less than or equal to 2.00 (OR 5.252), family income between 5,000-10,000 baht/month (OR 4.204), frequent quarrelling in family (OR 3.554), frequent being bullied (OR 3.78), history of being physical abused or neglected (OR 3.339 from children’s questionnaire, and OR 6.711 from parents’ questionnaire)

Conclusion: Prevalence of primary school students with depression in Dusit District, Bangkok Metropolis was 1.6%. Associated psychosocial factors were age older than 11 year, poor grade, low family income, frequent quarrelling in family, being bullied and being abused by adult.