Stability and change in the mental health of New Zealand secondary school students 2007–2012: Results from the national adolescent health surveys

Abstract

Objective: To describe the self-reported mental health of New Zealand secondary school students in 2012 and to investigate changes between 2007 and 2012.Methods: Nationally representative health and wellbeing surveys of students were completed in 2007 (n=9107) and 2012 (n=8500). Logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between mental health and changes over time. Prevalence data and adjusted odds ratios are presented. Results:In 2012, approximately three-quarters (76.2%, 95% CI 74.8-77.5) of students reported good overall wellbeing. By contrast (also in 2012), some students reported self-harming (24.0%, 95% CI 22.7-25.4), depressive symptoms (12.8%, 95% CI 11.6-13.9), 2 weeks of low mood (31%, 95% CI 29.7-32.5), suicidal ideation (15.7%, 95% 14.5-17.0), and suicide attempts (4.5%, 95% CI 3.8-5.2). Between 2007 and 2012, there appeared to be slight increases in the proportions of students reporting an episode of low mood (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23, p=0.0009), depressive symptoms (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.30, p=0.011), and using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire -emotional symptoms (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.23-1.54, p<0.0001), hyperactivity (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.29, p=0.0051), and peer problems (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.49, p=0.0022). The proportion of students aged 16 years or older reporting self-harm increased slightly between surveys, but there was little change for students aged 15 years or less (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.15-1.44 and OR 1.10, 95% 0.98-1.23, respectively, p=0.0078). There were no changes in reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts between 2007 and 2012. However, there has been an improvement in self-reported conduct problems since 2007 (OR 0.78, p<0.0001). Conclusions:The findings suggest a slight decline in aspects of self-reported mental health amongst New Zealand secondary school students between 2007 and 2012. There is a need for ongoing monitoring and for evidence-based, accessible interventions that prevent mental ill health and promote psychological wellbeing.

Cross‐cohort change in adolescent outcomes for children with mental health problems

“…To date, almost all time‐trends studies of child and adolescent mental health have focused on changes in prevalence. Findings from epidemiological cross‐cohort comparisons point to substantial changes in prevalence in adolescent mental health symptoms (Collishaw, ; Collishaw, Maughan, Goodman, & Pickles, ; Collishaw, Maughan, Natarajan, & Pickles, ; Fleming et al., ; Sigfusdottir, Asgeirsdottir, Sigurdsson, & Gudjonsson, ; von Soest & Wichstrøm, ; Sweeting, Young, & West, ), whilst evidence on trends in younger children's mental health symptoms is equivocal (Collishaw, ; Matijasevich et al., ; Polanczyk, Willcutt, Salum, Kieling, & Rohde, ; Sellers, Maughan, Pickles, Thapar, & Collishaw, ; Sourander, Niemelä, Santalahti, Helenius, & Piha, ).…”

Screening for mental health needs of New Zealand youth in secure care facilities using the MAYSI‐2

“…High rates of problem in drug and alcohol use were a particular concern, further links between drug and alcohol use and anger, depression, anxiety and suicide cannot be overlooked. The finding that almost one fifth of the sample were in the caution or warning range for the SI scale is alarming, given the high rate of youth suicide in NZ (Fleming et al, ).…”

‘Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation’: Using a Mixed-Methods Approach to Explore Changes in Adolescent Well-Being across Several European Countries

“…Evidence suggesting that there is a genuine change comes from cross-cohort comparisons studies, which show increased self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents since the 1980s in countries such as Greece, Germany, New Zealand Scotland, and England (Sweeting et al, 2009; Fleming et al, 2014; Collishaw, 2015). Similar studies in lower-income countries are lacking and would add to the amount of supporting evidence.…”