Factors Predicting Depressive Symptoms Among Thai High School Students

Abstract

Depression is a mental health issue among high school students. This cross-sectional study examines depressive symptoms and determines the factors predicting it among anonymous Thai high school students. A total of 404 students, with an average age of 14.89 years (SD = 1.66), were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique was employed at an autonomous high school located in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, during the first semester of the 2023 academic year. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the potential factors which had a consistency reliability coefficient of 0.75, and a 9-item patient health questionnaire which had a consistency reliability coefficient of 0.85. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The mean score of depressive symptoms was 8.85 (SD = 5.25), which indicates no risk. Four factors were consistently associated with depressive symptoms, with being female the highest significant predictor (β = .251), followed by academic achievement (β = -.167), self-management behaviors (β = -.159), and attitudes towards mental health problems (β = -.143). These four predictors accounted for 20.3% of the variance in depressive symptoms in high school students (F4, 403 = 10.715, p < .001). These results indicate that educators and school personnel should implement targeted programs or interventions for high school students. Such initiatives are likely to enhance academic performance, foster self-regulation skills, and encourage constructive attitudes toward mental health issues. This approach may be particularly beneficial for female students, potentially reducing the risk of developing depressive symptoms in the future.