Epidemiological study of youth mental health using strengths and difficulties questionnaire [SDQ]

ABSTRACT

Prevention and treatment of youths` mental disorders are important, not just for to diminish their present problems but to improve their functions in adulthood. This study was performed to evaluate the mental health status of 6-18 years old youths in a community-based sample using the strength and difficulties questionnaire [SDQ]. Parent of 2000 youths [6-18 years old] were selected from 250 clusters from different municipality areas of Isfahan, Iran and they responded to extended version of SDQ parent`s form. The mean score in each subscale and prevalence of symptom and relation with some demographic features were determined. The total score of SDQ was 26%, means that 26% of youth had psychiatric problems. By determining the sub-scale score, it reveals that conduct disorder [34.7%] was the most common problem in youth followed by peer relationship problems [25.4%], emotional problems [24.5%], hyperactivity [23%] and impairment of prosocial behavior [5.7%]. Our findings showed that mental health of youth population in Isfahan especially the conduct problem needs more attention