title: Depressive symptoms among Jordanian youth: results of a national survey.
abstract: This study examines level of depression and factors associated with depression among female and male youth in Jordan. The study uses data from a cross-sectional survey conducted among a national sample of 14-25 year old youth attending educational institutions in Jordan (N = 8,129). On average, respondents reported frequently experiencing feelings of sadness (66 %), loss of joy (49 %) and loss of hope in living (43 %). Regression models demonstrated that higher levels of depressive symptoms were observed among females and among youth exposed to violence. Better parent-child relationships were associated with lower depression score. Among males depressive symptoms were associated with poor economic status, low assertiveness and a higher likelihood of alcohol use and smoking. There is a need for mental health prevention programs for youth in Jordan that enhance youth's social and emotional skills, strengthen parent-child relationships, and reduce violence in school, home and in the community.
authors: School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. leyla@uchicago.edu
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Ismayilova
authors: Olimat
authors: O
authors: Hmoud
authors: Esra
authors: E
authors: Alkhasawneh
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Shaw
authors: Nabila
authors: N
authors: El-Bassel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult