Saudi adolescents’ reports of the relationship between parental factors : social support and mental health problems

Abstract EN

Background: It is important to understand how parental and community factors can impact on the development of mental health problems in young life, particularly by capturing young people’s voices.

Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine to what extent parental rearing style, attachment security and social supports were associated with mental health problems among young people living in disadvantaged areas of Saudi Arabia, as reported by young people.

Method: Of 451 adolescents recruited to the study, 215 (48%) were girls and 237 (52%) were boys aged between 12 and 16 years.

They completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Parental Authority Questionnaire, Attachment Security Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support rating scales.

A series of hierarchical regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of mental health problems.

Results: Results showed that 23.50% of adolescents reported scores that indicated likely mental health problems.

Authoritative parenting style, attachment security and social support were associated with positive mental health, after controlling for age and gender.

Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of establishing adolescents’ views and understanding of protective factorsaddressed through early interventions.