Survey of Depression Literacy and Help-Seeking Behavior Among Secondary School Students
Author(s)
Réka Vajda, BSc, MSc, PhD1, Anett Cseh, BSc1, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD2, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD1.
1Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
1Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Mental disorders that develop in adolescence or young adulthood can have an impact on an individual’s entire life, so it is important to recognize and treat the underlying causes. The aim of our research was to examine the relationship between screen time, social media use and the mental well-being of young people, as well as the characteristics of depression literacy and help-seeking behavior.
METHODS: We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional study among students of the Komlói Technical School, Vocational School and Dormitory of the Baranya County SZC (N=137), between 2025.01.01. and 2025.02.28. The target group consisted of students aged 14-20 with an active student status. Data collection was carried out using a self-designed, self-completed questionnaire, in which we also used validated questionnaires. Data processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013 software. Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square test, independent sample t-test, ANOVA, correlation and linear regression analysis were performed at a 95% probability level (p<0.05).
RESULTS: Individuals with higher knowledge in both dimensions of depression literacy are more likely to seek help from a professional. There is a significant difference in the depression knowledge scores of boys (3.15±0.87) and girls (3.90±1.12) (t=-4.267;p<0.001). In case of suicidal thoughts, 52.6% of boys and 33.9% of girls would seek help from their parents. We found a weak but significant correlation between screen time and self-esteem (r=-0.224;p=0.009), depressive symptoms (r=0.214;p=0.013), and social media use and self-esteem (r=-0.229;p=0.008), as well as depressive symptoms (r=0.215;p=0.013).
CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that those with higher depression literacy are more likely to seek help, that girls have higher depression literacy, and that excessive screen time reduces self-esteem and worsens depressive symptoms. Therefore, effective school campaigns are needed to promote health literacy among young people and to develop their emotional and social skills.
METHODS: We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional study among students of the Komlói Technical School, Vocational School and Dormitory of the Baranya County SZC (N=137), between 2025.01.01. and 2025.02.28. The target group consisted of students aged 14-20 with an active student status. Data collection was carried out using a self-designed, self-completed questionnaire, in which we also used validated questionnaires. Data processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013 software. Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square test, independent sample t-test, ANOVA, correlation and linear regression analysis were performed at a 95% probability level (p<0.05).
RESULTS: Individuals with higher knowledge in both dimensions of depression literacy are more likely to seek help from a professional. There is a significant difference in the depression knowledge scores of boys (3.15±0.87) and girls (3.90±1.12) (t=-4.267;p<0.001). In case of suicidal thoughts, 52.6% of boys and 33.9% of girls would seek help from their parents. We found a weak but significant correlation between screen time and self-esteem (r=-0.224;p=0.009), depressive symptoms (r=0.214;p=0.013), and social media use and self-esteem (r=-0.229;p=0.008), as well as depressive symptoms (r=0.215;p=0.013).
CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that those with higher depression literacy are more likely to seek help, that girls have higher depression literacy, and that excessive screen time reduces self-esteem and worsens depressive symptoms. Therefore, effective school campaigns are needed to promote health literacy among young people and to develop their emotional and social skills.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH223
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Mental Health (including addition)