Differences in Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms between Urban and Rural Female Adolescents in Korea

PURPOSE

To examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and differentiate factors associated with them in urban and rural areas by applying the Ecological Models of Health Behavior.

METHODS

We employed a cross-sectional design and convenience sample of 460 female adolescents. The instruments included the Adolescent Mental-Health Problem-Behavior Questionnaire (AMPQ-II) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms were confirmed in 15.7% of urban adolescents and 22.9% of rural adolescents (p<.05). In the urban group, perception of health and stress associated with school performance were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. In the rural group, academic/internet related problems and rule violations were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (p<.05). General life happiness, worry/anxiety, and mood/suicidal ideation were common factors in both urban and rural areas (p<.05).

CONCLUSION

Multiple factors were associated with depressive symptoms, and those significant factors differed between urban and rural female youths. Accordingly, tailored approaches are required considering urban and rural differences. The approaches should include intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational levels of interventions.

Emotional/Behavioral problems in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case-control study

INTRODUCTION

Despite achievements in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children, its burden on the psychosocial status of patients is not well defined yet. This study aims to determine the impact of childhood ALL on emotional and behavioral pattern of the patients compared to healthy peers as assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

METHODS

We studied 100 children with ALL (aged 6-12 years) and 100 healthy sex/age peers as control group. All ALL cases were treated by chemotherapy alone. After being informed by a psychologist, parents in both groups were asked to complete the CBCL form. Final results were then compared between the two study groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the general characteristics. Failure in school performance, restricted group activity and less social relations were significantly higher in the ALL cases. Total competence was also significantly disturbed for the ALL cases. Social problems, attention problems, aggressive behavior, externalization, attention deficit/hyperactivity, conduct and oppositional defiant problems were significantly more prevalent in healthy children. Somatic problems were significantly higher in the ALL cases.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that except for somatic problems, behavioral problems among the ALL cases are significantly less frequent than the healthy peers, which may stem from better care and support from the families. Our unique findings emphasize the need for more research on the psychosocial status of children with cancer in future.