Analysis of factors related to adolescents' self-description regarding mental health in Kalimantan, Indonesia

Introduction: A transition period is challenging for adolescents who often face developmental difficulties that can affect their mental health and well-being. Difficulty in self-description during this transitional phase increase the risk of mental and physical health problems. This study aims to determine the relationship between stress, anxiety, and depression with self-description among adolescents in East Kalimantan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six high schools from December 2023 to February 2024, involving 361 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Adolescents aged 15–17 who met specific inclusion criteria were invited to participate. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for self-description and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) for mental health assessment. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of the 361 adolescents is 16.04 years, with 56.2% female, 62.9% having siblings, and 85.9% having parents as primary caregivers. Mental health conditions include severe depression (19.4%), severe anxiety (61.2%), and severe stress (12.7%). A total of 90.9% of the adolescents had abnormal self-description (mean = 27.60, SD = 6.04). Stress was significantly associated with self-description (B = 0.13, SE = 0.05, p = 0.01), while depression and anxiety are not related to it. The model explained 7.2% of the variance in self-description (F = 9.22, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings highlight stress as a critical factor influencing adolescents' self-description. Preventive measures to manage stress and promote mental health are crucial for improving adolescents' self-description and well-being.