Prevalence of depression among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence and pattern of depression among adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents of age group from 13 to 19 belonging to school/college students and school dropouts were assessed using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) by a team consisting of a pediatrician, psychologist and PGDCCD (Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Child Development) students. RESULTS: 11.2% of school dropouts had severe and extreme grades of depression as against 3% among school going and nil among college going adolescents.

Scholastic performance of adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the factors affecting scholastic performance of adolescents belonging to various groups and the determinants for poor scholastic performance. METHODS: 1892 adolescents of 13 to 19 years age group belonging to different category of schools were interviewed and assessed by a team consisting of pediatrician, psychologist and PG-DCCD* students using Teenage Screening Questionnaire--Trivandrum and Study Habit Rating Scale. Daily study pattern, Family environment, Education status of parents, Personal distractions, and Attitude towards studies were observed as factors affecting scholastic performance. RESULT: On multivariate analysis the predictor variables for poor scholastic performance were; lower studying daily lessons, poor concentration in studies, lower education status of father and unhappy family. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to identify determinants of scholstic performance and plan intervention strategies at school level.