Abstract :
Background: Accumulating evidences are showing that strengthening protective
psychosocial factors in adolescents make important contributions in improving
developmental outcomes. Hence the present study was conducted to study the
psychosocial maladjustments and their determinants among adolescent school
students in Delhi, India.
Materials and methods: Questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted
from February 2013 to September 2013 in four schools in South Delhi. All
students studying in class 11 and 12 were included. Complete enumeration of the
study subjects was done. Pareek’s Pre Adolescent Adjustment Scale (PAAS) was
used to find psychosocial maladjustments among adolescent school students in
five psychosocial domains (Home, School, Teachers, Peers and General). Data
were analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Results: The prevalence of home, school, teacher, peer and general psychosocial
maladjustment were found to be 12.6%, 13.2%, 13.4%, 18.9% and 31.5%
respectively. The risk of psychosocial maladjustment in all psychosocial domains
was found to be higher among males, students studying in class twelve and
belonging to lower socio-economic class.
Conclusion: The study has revealed that psychosocial maladjustment in different
psychosocial domains is present among adolescent school students in Delhi. This
demands behavioral interventions in several psychosocial environments like
home, school, peers and public places.
Keyword :
Adolescents, school students, psychosocial maladjustments, Delhi.