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The Determinants of Mental Health Literacy among Young Adolescents in Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Sarbhan Singh

    (Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia)

  • Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki

    (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Nik Daliana Nik Farid

    (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Kushilpal Kaur

    (Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Selayang, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Batu Caves 68100, Malaysia)

Abstract

Mental health literacy (MHL) is an established multifaceted concept that comprises mental health knowledge, help-seeking, and stigma. Adequate MHL (i.e., the ability to correctly recognize mental health disorders alongside having the intention to seek help) is able improve mental health outcomes among individuals. This study aims to examine the determinants of MHL among young Malaysian adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1400 adolescents between 13 and 14 years old from nine national secondary schools in Selangor state, Malaysia. Sociodemographic determinants assessed included gender, age, ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, history of being bullied, feeling lonely, parental marital status, and parental income which were assessed using the Global School Based Student Health Survey. MHL was assessed using the Mental Health Literacy and Stigma questionnaire. Several factors were significantly associated with adequate levels of MHL following multivariate analysis, such as being female (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.12, 2.52), older adolescents (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.07, 2.30), not smoking (AOR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.20, 4.26), not consuming alcohol (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.18, 2.41), and not feeling lonely (AOR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.06, 1.85). Addressing these determinants could be key in assisting the development of policies and programs to prevent mental health disorders among adolescents, which are currently on the rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarbhan Singh & Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki & Nik Daliana Nik Farid & Kushilpal Kaur, 2022. "The Determinants of Mental Health Literacy among Young Adolescents in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3242-:d:767729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stewart, D.W. & Adams, C.E. & Cano, M.A. & Correa-Fernández, V. & Li, Y. & Waters, A.J. & Wetter, D.W. & Vidrine, J.I., 2013. "Associations between health literacy and established predictors of smoking cessation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(7), pages 43-49.
    2. Gabriela Rolova & Beata Gavurova & Benjamin Petruzelka, 2021. "Health Literacy, Self-Perceived Health, and Substance Use Behavior among Young People with Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Borges, G. & Wang, P.S. & Medina-Mora, M.E. & Lara, C. & Chiu, W.T., 2007. "Delay of first treatment of mental and substance use disorders in Mexico," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(9), pages 1638-1643.
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