Prevalence of Mental Illness Among Middle Adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Yaghmour, Sara PhD
Bamatraf, Asma RN
Alghanmi, Linah RN
Alnafisi, Tala RN

From King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Disclosure: The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Address correspondence to Sara Yaghmour PhD, King Abdulaziz University, 3491 King Abdullah Economic City, 23981, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; email: [email protected].

Received December 28, 2023

Accepted September 24, 2024

Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services 63(4):p 28-33, April 01, 2025. | DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20250107-04

Purpose

To assess the prevalence of mental illness among middle adolescents (aged 14 to 17 years) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Method

A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted among 483 students aged 14 to 17 years attending intermediate and secondary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants were asked to complete the Arabic version of the self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results

SDQ scores ranged from 8 to 35, with a mean 18.5 (SD = 4.2). Several variables were significantly associated with higher SDQ scores, including age, sex, health status, and death of the mother.

Conclusion

Results indicate that middle adolescents' prevalence of mental illness is relatively high. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 63(4), 28–33.]