10779/rcsi.10795496.v1 Paula Greally Paula Greally Ian Kelleher Ian Kelleher Jennifer Murphy Jennifer Murphy Mary Cannon Mary Cannon Assessment of the mental health of Irish Adolescents in the community Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 2019 Psychiatry Behaviour Mental Disorders Adolescence Questionnaires Schools Ireland Psychiatry (incl. Psychotherapy) 2019-11-22 17:13:08 Journal contribution https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/Assessment_of_the_mental_health_of_Irish_Adolescents_in_the_community/10795496 <p><strong>Aim:</strong> This study aims to assess a community of Irish adolescents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for behavioural difficulties and mental health disorders.</p> <p><strong>Method:</strong> All fifth and sixth class pupils attending eight primary schools were eligible to participate. The self-report version of the SDQ was administered to the pupils in the classroom.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Thirty participants (8.7%) had an abnormal SDQ score and 53 (15.3%) had a borderline abnormal SDQ score. Abnormal SDQ scores were more common among females (9.7%; mean score = 11.86; sd = 5.4) than among males (7.6%; mean score = 10.96; sd = 5.26). The difference was most pronounced on the emotional symptoms subscale (females received a mean score of 4.03 [sd = 2.1] compared to a mean male score of 2.90 [sd = 2.1]).</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Mental health problems are widespread among Irish adolescents. The SDQ is a useful preliminary assessment tool of the mental health profile of Irish adolescents and highlights the need for childhood mental health promotion in schools. The SDQ could also be used in a primary care setting to screen adolescents for mental disorders</p>