Authors :
Sangamesh Baichabal; Dr. Utalbasha N. Dhandargi; Dr. Sureshgouda Patil
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/5fnt83k4
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/epec2zum
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul620
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Background: Globally, approximately one in seven adolescents experiences a mental health disorder. Depression,
anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability in this age group .1 Schools play a vital
role in promoting adolescent mental health because teachers spend considerable time with students. The heavy burden of
adolescent mental health problems, many teachers have less knowledge and recognizing psychosocial disorders. Studies have
shown that structured educational interventions significantly improve teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and help-facilitation skills
related to adolescent mental health. 2,3 psychosocial problems among late adolescents and the important role of teachers in early
identification and referral, assessing the knowledge of PU college science teachers regarding selected psychosocial problems is
essential. Aims/Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge regarding selected psychosocial problems among PU college science
teachers. Association between knowledge scores and demographic variables of PU college science teachers. Method And
Methodology: The study was conducted among 50 PU college science teachers using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Data
was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square test was used
to determine the association between knowledge scores and selected demographic variables. Result: The study revealed that
among 50 PU college science teachers, 27 (54%) had inadequate knowledge and 23 (46%) had moderate knowledge. Mean
knowledge score was 21.08 ± 7.63 with a mean percentage of 56.15%. The highest knowledge score was found in Signs and
Symptoms and Diagnosis (70.33%), while the lowest was in Health Education on Prevention and Treatment (44.2%). No
significant association was found between knowledge and demographic variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that PU
college science teachers has moderate knowledge regarding selected psychosocial problems of late adolescents. Most teachers
lacked adequate knowledge, especially in management and prevention aspects. They need for structured educational
programmes to improve teachers’ knowledge and skills in early identification and support of adolescents with psychosocial
problems.
References :
- World Health Organization. Mental health of adolescents. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025. Available from: WHO – Mental health of adolescents
- World Health Organization. WHO guideline on school health services. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240029392
- World Health Organization. Improving the mental and brain health of children and adolescents. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available from: WHO – Child and adolescent mental and brain health
- Chandra PS, Sowmya HR, et al. Mental health literacy on youth depression and suicides for teachers and its impact on knowledge, attitudes and help facilitation: A preliminary study. Indian J Psychol Med. 2023. Available from: PMC article
- World Health Organization. Adolescent mental health. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
- World Health Organization. WHO guideline on school health services. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240029392
- Kutcher S, Wei Y, Coniglio C. Mental health literacy: past, present, and future. Can J Psychiatry. 2016;61(3):154-158.
- Jorm AF. Mental health literacy: empowering the community to take action for better mental health. Am Psychol. 2012;67(3):231-243.
- Payci SO, Ergin A, Saatci E, Bozdemir N, Akpinar E, Ergun G. Suicidal thought and behaviour in high school students in Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. Journal of American Medical Association 2008 Dec;29(2):527-31.
- Siu JC, Mei FL, Kuan CL. The mediating and moderating roles of the cognitive triad on adolescent suicidal ideation. Journal of child psychiatry. 2007 Jul-Aug; 56(4):252-8.
- Gould MS, Greenbegr T, Veliting DM, Shaffer D. Youth suicide risk and preventive interventions. Journal of American Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry. 2008 Nov; 42(4):386-405.
- Janet M. Suicide in mental health in-patients and within three months of discharge. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2006 November; 188(4):129-34.
- Anupriyo M. Suicide and youth: A case study of Kolkata. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2007 Sep; (39):28-29.
- Swartz KL, Kastelic EA, Hess SG, Cox TS, Gonzales LC, Mink SP, et al. The effectiveness of a school – based adolescent depression education programme. Health educ behav. 2007 Jul 25; 84:15.
- Kalafat J, Elias M. An evaluation of a school – based suicide awareness intervention. Suicide life threat behav. 2006; 24(3): 224-33.
- Eggert LL, Thompson EA, Herting JR, Nocholas LJ. Reducing suicide potential among high – risk youth: tests of a school – based prevention programme. Suicide life threat behav. 2004; 25(2): 276-96.
- Aseltine RH Jr, James A, Schilling EA, Evaluating the SOS suicide prevention program: a replication and extension.
- La Vecchia C. World wide trends in suicide mortality, Moshy, 1995- 1989, P 582.
- Latha, Brent, D.A (1990), Suicidality in affectively disordered Adolescent psychiatry 29; 586-593.
- Stephen T. Russel, Adolescents sexual orientation and suicide risk, Evidence form a national study. American journal of public health August (2001).
Background: Globally, approximately one in seven adolescents experiences a mental health disorder. Depression,
anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability in this age group .1 Schools play a vital
role in promoting adolescent mental health because teachers spend considerable time with students. The heavy burden of
adolescent mental health problems, many teachers have less knowledge and recognizing psychosocial disorders. Studies have
shown that structured educational interventions significantly improve teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and help-facilitation skills
related to adolescent mental health. 2,3 psychosocial problems among late adolescents and the important role of teachers in early
identification and referral, assessing the knowledge of PU college science teachers regarding selected psychosocial problems is
essential. Aims/Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge regarding selected psychosocial problems among PU college science
teachers. Association between knowledge scores and demographic variables of PU college science teachers. Method And
Methodology: The study was conducted among 50 PU college science teachers using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Data
was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square test was used
to determine the association between knowledge scores and selected demographic variables. Result: The study revealed that
among 50 PU college science teachers, 27 (54%) had inadequate knowledge and 23 (46%) had moderate knowledge. Mean
knowledge score was 21.08 ± 7.63 with a mean percentage of 56.15%. The highest knowledge score was found in Signs and
Symptoms and Diagnosis (70.33%), while the lowest was in Health Education on Prevention and Treatment (44.2%). No
significant association was found between knowledge and demographic variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that PU
college science teachers has moderate knowledge regarding selected psychosocial problems of late adolescents. Most teachers
lacked adequate knowledge, especially in management and prevention aspects. They need for structured educational
programmes to improve teachers’ knowledge and skills in early identification and support of adolescents with psychosocial
problems.