Veronica Hermann: ”Det är liksom en stor grej som händer just nu i våra liv”: Psykisk hälsa och stigma bland ungdomar

Abstract

Adolescents’ mental health is a current public health issue. However, research, on adolescents’ views on different aspects of mental health, and the prevalence of mental well-being, mental illness and related stigma, among adolescents is limited in Sweden. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore perceptions and status of mental health and stigma related to mental health problems among adolescents in a Swedish context. 

Study I and II were based on qualitative interviews with 32 adolescents on the Swedish island Gotland. Study I indicated that the adolescents had a complex understanding of various mental health concepts but labelled mental well-being as ‘feeling good’ and mental illness as ‘feeling bad’. In Study II, the adolescents described mental health problems as common due to current living conditions, e.g. stress related to school performance and social media and an increased openness about mental health problems. Stigmatisation of people with mental health problems was perceived as problematic, caused by lack of experience and knowledge, but also as related to rumour spreading and stereotypical gender norms. 

Study III and IV were based on the Life and Health Youth survey, conducted in secondary schools located on Gotland. In study III, the results according to the dual-factor model of mental health showed that most adolescents had vulnerable mental health status (47.5%), while 36.2% had complete mental health. A smaller proportion had troubled (13,9%) or symptomatic but content (2,5%) mental health status. Associations were observed between mental health status and gender, grades, truancy, stress level, resilience, and subjective social status in school. 

In study IV, the factor structure and internal consistency was acceptable for the modified Attitudes About Mental Illness and its Treatment scale, but the adolescents perceived it as difficult to answer. Further, negative attitudes towards people with mental health problems were present, and more common among boys and foreign-born adolescents. 

The findings of this thesis suggests the two-factor model of mental health and the three-part description of stigma, including stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination, to be applicable among adolescents. Further, the findings suggest a need for promotion of mental well-being and prevention of mental health problems such as interventions to reduce school-related stress, increase resilience and promote societal knowledge about mental health, stigma and gender stereotypes among adolescents. The findings also motivate support to adolescents with low mental wellbeing and minor mental health problems as well as to adolescents who have friends with mental health problems.