The role of mental health, academic stress, academic achievement, and physical activity on self-rated health among adolescents in Iran: A multilevel analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health promotion of adolescents requires appropriate evidences of its determinants. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of self-rated health (SRH) among adolescents in Qazvin, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, with a multistage sampling method, we recruited 1740 adolescents aged 12–19 years from 53 schools in Qazvin, Iran (2018). We used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Adolescents’ Academic Stress Questionnaire for data collection. The analysis was conducted using a multilevel logistic regression model. Gender, educational period, and socioeconomic status were considered as confounders. RESULTS: Almost 21% of the adolescents reported their SRH suboptimal. Suboptimal SRH was higher in girls and older adolescents. Mental health disorders and academic stress had a positive association with SRH. However, this association was negative for academic achievement and physical activity. The interaction between mental health disorders and academic stress with SRH had a significant association in a crud regression model. CONCLUSION: Mental health, academic stress, academic achievement, and physical activity were important predictors for SRH. Interventions that focus on promoting mental health, academic stress, academic achievement, and physical activity such as physical activity for 1 h and each day for 3 days per week can improve SRH in adolescents. Hence, policymakers should pay more attention to this issue in health promotion programs of adolescents.

Associations of fruit & vegetable intake and physical activity with poor self-rated health among Chinese older adults

“…Regarding the physical activities associating poor SRH, this study was in line with previous studies. For example, several studies indicated physical activities were important predictors for SRH [ 93 , 94 ]. In China, physical inactivity contributed 12–19% to the risks associated with five major non-communicable diseases [ 95 ].…”

Creativity as a Positive Factor in the Adolescence Stage: Relations with Academic Performance, Stress and Self-Esteem

“…The results obtained indicated that the predictors of self-esteem in these students were mainly stress and creativity. This idea may be related to the fact that students with a good academic performance have higher self-esteem and a low level of stress [27,28]. The fact that stress and creativity remain the main predictors of self-esteem in these subgroups suggests that these variables may be crucial points of intervention to improve self-esteem, regardless of academic difficulties.…”

“…It has been found that one of the factors that can help subjects to cope with stress in adolescence is self-esteem, as self-esteem is a significant predictor of emotional and behavioral problems [25,26]. Regarding self-esteem and stress, students with a good academic performance score high on self-esteem and low on stress [27,28]. This relationship can also be found between academic achievement and self-esteem, as previous studies indicate a significant association between these two variables in adolescents [29].…”

Relationship between Mental Health and Academic Stress among Adolescents: A Critical Review

“…Exploring the relationship between academic pressures and mental health is vital for designing strategies that promote a balanced and supportive learning environment. Hosseinkhani,et al (2020), in their study, revealed that high levels of academic stress were linked to a decrease in mental health. Specifically, at the student level, academic stress caused by families, peers, and the education system had significant impacts on the mental health of adolescents.…”