Predictors of Mental Health among Secondary School Students in Thailand: The Roles of Grit, Self-Esteem, and Smartphone Addiction
Keywords:
Depression, Stress, Grit, Self-Esteem, Smartphone addictionAbstract
This study investigated factors that impacted the mental health of secondary school students in Thailand. This cross-sectional study included 1,560 participants from six class levels in six public schools in Thailand. The survey instruments included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Short Grit Scale, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. For secondary school adolescents, results indicated that Grit, Self-esteem, and smartphone addiction were significant predictors of stress (R2 =.46); self-esteem and smartphone addiction significantly predicted depression (R2 = .39); girls have significantly higher levels of depression, stress, smartphone addiction, and higher GPA than boys; and girls have significantly lower levels of self-esteem and grit than boys. Recommendations include strengthening parental involvement and supportive relationships among secondary school adolescents, which could help to reduce smartphone addiction and mental health problems. Additionally, implementing mental health literacy and intervention programs at schools could help to spread awareness, reduce stigma, improve resiliency, and boost self-esteem.
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