Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri J Pediatr, cilt.31, sa.3, ss.133-142, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)
Objective: Adolescents sometimes develop some
psychological problems that may escape their or parents’ notice, which
can lead to problems in later life. The aim of this study was to investigate
the presence of unidentified psychiatric symptoms in adolescents.
Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included
620 adolescents between 14-18 years of age. Participants were
given a sociodemographic data form and Symptom Check List (SCL-
90-R) screening test consisting of 90 items about psychiatric symptoms
and complaints. Results: In evaluation of the SCL-90-R subscale, scores
of the participating adolescents were found to be >1 regarding somatization
(40.5%), anxiety (32.4%), obsessive compulsive disorder
(45.5%), depression (34.8%), sensitivity in interpersonal relations
(37.7%), psychotic symptoms (20.3%), paranoid thought (35.5%),
anger (43.7%), and phobic (17.3%) which interpreted as indication of
important psychological problems. Median scores of somatization, depression,
anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity,
anger, paranoid thought, phobic anxiety, additional score and
general symptom index were found to be significantly higher in females
(p<0.05). It was found that factors such as school success, cigarette
use, mothers’ employment, family income level, parents’ marital status,
and family history of psychiatric illness had significant effect on certain
psychiatric symptoms. Conclusion: Previously unidentified psychiatric
symptoms among adolescents, especially among females were observed.
Despite the participating adolescents expressed no psychiatric
complaints, the findings suggest psychiatric symptoms can easily be
overlooked in this age group.