1
|
Cheung DH, Boonmongkon P, Ojanen TT, Damri T, Samoh N, Cholratana M, Rachadapanthikul C, Gilman SE, Sass J, Guadamuz TE. Peer victimisation and depression among gender conforming and non-conforming Thai adolescents. Cult Health Sex 2020; 22:808-821. [PMID: 32400284 PMCID: PMC10115512 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1737235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Like most low- and middle-income countries, Thailand is facing an increasing burden of depressive disorders among adolescents, but research and services for them are largely neglected. This study explored the association between types of peer victimisation, gender non-conformity, health risk behaviours, and depressive symptoms among Thai students aged 13-18 years. Overall, prevalence of depressive symptoms was 14.7% (95% CI: 12.6-15.6), 12.2% (95% CI: 9.5-13.9) among male students and 16.5% (95% CI: 13.8-18.0) among female students. Among both sexes, social and sexual victimisation in the past month were strongly associated with depressive symptoms in the past week. Gender non-conforming female adolescents, as well as male and female adolescents who had experienced sexual and social victimisation, had a high burden of depressive symptoms. Mental health professionals and educators working with young people in Thailand should consider assessment for clinically significant depressive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doug H. Cheung
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pimpawun Boonmongkon
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Timo T. Ojanen
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Faculty of Learning Sciences and Education, Thammasart University, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Thasaporn Damri
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Nattharat Samoh
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Mudjalin Cholratana
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Chet Rachadapanthikul
- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Stephen E. Gilman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine Sass
- HIV Prevention and Health Promotion Unit, UNESCO, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thomas E. Guadamuz
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Guadamuz TE, Cheung DH, Boonmongkon P, Ojanen TT, Damri T, Samoh N, Cholratana M, Ratchadapunnathikul C, Sass J. Illicit Drug Use and Social Victimization among Thai Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:2198-2206. [PMID: 31317813 PMCID: PMC10115513 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1638936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: We examined the prevalence of lifetime illicit drug use and social victimization, and their association, among sexual and gender minority (SGM) and non-SGM Thai adolescents. Methods: In 2013, we conducted a school-based national survey among students grades 7-12 (aged 13-20 years) from 15 secondary schools (n = 2,070) around Thailand. We classified adolescents with same-sex attraction, sexual or gender non-conforming identities as SGM. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the odds of illicit drug use by SGM and non-SGM status. Results: Prevalence of lifetime illicit drug use was significantly higher among SGM adolescents than non-SGM adolescents (10.3 vs. 5.3%), but did not differ between those with same-sex attraction and SGM identity (10.3 vs. 10.8%). Among non-SGM adolescents, general social victimization, sexual experience and any school truancy were associated with lifetime illicit drug use (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.53, 4.38; OR = 6.59, 95% CI: 4.90, 8.86; and OR = 4.93, 95% CI: 3.13, 7.75, respectively). Among SGM adolescents, SGM-based social victimization, depressive symptomology and suicidal ideation were associated with lifetime illicit drug use (OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 2.03, 4.95; OR = 5.03, 95% CI: 2.32, 10.90; and OR = 5.03, 95% CI: 2.76, 9.16, respectively). Conclusions: SGM adolescents have higher burden of illicit drug use. Moreover, illicit drug use among SGM adolescents is indicative of depressive symptomology and suicidal ideation. Tailored and comprehensive programs are needed to reduce the gap in burden of illicit drug use between SGM and non-SGM adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Guadamuz
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand
| | - Doug H Cheung
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Pimpawun Boonmongkon
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand
| | - Timo T Ojanen
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand.,Faculty of Learning Sciences and Education, Thammasat University , Pathumthani , Thailand
| | - Thasaporn Damri
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand
| | - Nattharat Samoh
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand
| | - Mudjalin Cholratana
- Center of Excellence in Research on Gender, Sexuality and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand
| | - Chet Ratchadapunnathikul
- Department of Social Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University , Nakhon Pathom , Thailand
| | - Justine Sass
- HIV Prevention and Health Promotion Unit, UNESCO , Bangkok , Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ojanen TT, Boonmongkon P, Samakkeekarom R, Samoh N, Cholratana M, Guadamuz TE. Connections between online harassment and offline violence among youth in Central Thailand. Child Abuse Negl 2015; 44:159-69. [PMID: 25913812 PMCID: PMC4461520 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that face-to-face (offline) youth violence and online harassment are closely interlinked, but evidence from Asian countries remains limited. This study was conducted to quantitatively assess the associations between offline violence and online harassment among youth in Central Thailand. Students and out-of-school youth (n=1,234, age: 15-24 years) residing, studying, and/or working in a district in Central Thailand were surveyed. Participants were asked about their involvement in online harassment and in verbal, physical, sexual, and domestic types of offline violence, as perpetrators, victims, and witnesses within a 1-year period. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess independent associations between different kinds of involvement in offline violence and online harassment. Perpetration and victimization within the past year were both reported by roughly half of the youth both online and offline. Over three quarters had witnessed violence or harassment. Perpetrating online harassment was independently associated with being a victim online (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=10.1; 95% CI [7.5, 13.6]), and perpetrating offline violence was independently associated with being a victim offline (AOR=11.1; 95% CI [8.1, 15.0]). Perpetrating online harassment was independently associated with perpetrating offline violence (AOR=2.7; 95% CI [1.9, 3.8]), and being a victim online was likewise independently associated with being a victim offline (AOR=2.6; 95% CI [1.9, 3.6]). Online harassment and offline violence are interlinked among Thai youth, as in other countries studied so far. Interventions to reduce either might best address both together.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timo Tapani Ojanen
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand, Tel. +66 89 022 7597, Fax +66 2 441 9515 Ext. 112
| | - Pimpawun Boonmongkon
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand, Tel. +66 89 022 7597, Fax +66 2 441 9515 Ext. 112
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand
| | - Ronnapoom Samakkeekarom
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand, Tel. +66 89 022 7597, Fax +66 2 441 9515 Ext. 112
| | - Nattharat Samoh
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand, Tel. +66 89 022 7597, Fax +66 2 441 9515 Ext. 112
| | - Mudjalin Cholratana
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand, Tel. +66 89 022 7597, Fax +66 2 441 9515 Ext. 112
| | - Thomas Ebanan Guadamuz
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ojanen TT, Boonmongkon P, Samakkeekarom R, Samoh N, Cholratana M, Payakkakom A, Guadamuz TE. Investigating online harassment and offline violence among young people in Thailand: methodological approaches, lessons learned. Cult Health Sex 2014; 16:1097-112. [PMID: 25010363 PMCID: PMC4163092 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2014.931464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Violence in the physical (offline) world is a well-documented health and social issue among young people worldwide. In Southeast Asia, online harassment (defined as intentional behaviours to harm others through the Internet or through mobile devices) is less well documented. In this paper, we describe and critically discuss the mixed-methods data collection approach we used to build a contextualised understanding of offline violence and online harassment among 15- to 24-year-old students and out-of-school youth in Central Thailand. We mapped linkages between offline violence and online harassment, and with their possible correlates including gender, sexuality, and mobile media or Internet use. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and a custom-built, self-administered computerised survey. Using mixed methods enabled us to collect holistic qualitative/quantitative data from both students and out-of-school youth. In our discussion, we focus on gender, sexuality, class and ethnicity issues in recruiting out-of-school youth; definition and measurement issues; technical issues in using a computerised survey; ethical issues surrounding data collection from minors as well as privacy and confidentiality concerns in collecting data in both in-school and out-of-school settings; and the general implications of using mixed methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timo T. Ojanen
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Pimpawun Boonmongkon
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Ronnapoom Samakkeekarom
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Nattharat Samoh
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Mudjalin Cholratana
- Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Anusorn Payakkakom
- Department of Social Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Thomas E. Guadamuz
- Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Boonmongkon P, Ojanen TT, Samakkeekarom R, Samoh N, Iamsilpa R, Topananan S, Cholratana M, Guadamuz TE. 'She met her (boy)friend online': Negotiating gender identity and sexuality among young Thai women in online space. Cult Health Sex 2013; 15:1162-74. [PMID: 23885969 PMCID: PMC5500304 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2013.809609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This paper focuses on the experiences of women 15-24 years old living in one suburban district in Bangkok. Its objectives are to analyse processes of building and negotiating social identity and femininity in online spaces by young women; the ways in which young women express their sexuality using online technologies; connections between the 'online' and 'offline' worlds in terms of emotions as well as social and sexual networks; and traditional values regarding female sexuality reproduced through online media and how young women negotiate and resist these. Content and narrative analyses were conducted using qualitative data from 9 focus-group discussions and 14 narrative interviews. Findings indicated that the online media serve as tools that help young women develop and express their gender identities. Mobile phones and the Internet facilitate communication in order to express love, responsibility, intimacy and sexual desires. Discourse on women's chastity, which puts pressure on women to maintain their virginity, still influences online and mobile contents, messages and images among young women. However, women also exerted agency in negotiating and expressing their sexuality, both online and offline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pimpawun Boonmongkon
- a Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities , Mahidol University, Salaya , Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|