title: Validation of the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA) in Vietnam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, there has been little systematic, quantitative research on the links between academic pressure and mental health among adolescents in Asia, and none in Vietnam. In part, this is because of a lack of appropriate tools to measure this complex phenomenon. This study was to validate the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA), developed and tested in China, with the aim of fostering further research in Asia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1283 students were recruited in 3 secondary schools and 3 high schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Anonymous, self-report questionnaires included the ESSA and previously validated measures of mental health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 1226 questionnaires available, 54% of respondents were female. The mean age was 15.3 years. Students reported substantial study burden. The ESSA had good internal consistency, and factorial validity and concurrent validity were established.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ESSA is a suitable measure for school-based mental health research in Asia.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam thaithanhtruc@fphhcm.edu.vn.
authors.forename: Thai Thanh
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Truc
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Kim Xuan
authors.initials: KX
authors.lastname: Loan
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nguyen Do
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jiandong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael Patrick
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dunne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001208:Asia; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014744:Vietnam