INTRODUCTION
Adolescence is a
critical developmental stage marked by rapid physical, physiological,
psychological, and behavioural changes that occur during the transition from
childhood to adulthood. This period plays a vital role in shaping an
individual’s present and future health, as experiences and health conditions
during adolescence often influence well-being in adulthood. Because of these
significant changes, adolescence is considered a foundational phase for
establishing lifelong physical and mental health World
Health Organization. (2014). According to the World Health Organization,
adolescents are individuals aged between 10 and 19 years, and they constitute
an important and dynamic segment of the population. Health-related challenges
that emerge during this stage can significantly affect adolescents’ physical,
social, and psychological development as they grow World
Health Organization. (2014).
Health is not
merely the absence of disease but a state of complete physical and mental
well-being. Mental health, in particular, is an essential component of overall
health. The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of
well-being in which individuals recognize their abilities, can cope with normal
life stresses, work productively, and contribute meaningfully to their
community World
Health Organization. (2001). In simple terms, mental health reflects how
individuals think, feel, and behave, as well as how they manage emotions,
maintain relationships, and handle challenges in daily life.
Historically,
mental health was viewed primarily as the absence of mental illness or
disorder. However, contemporary perspectives emphasize that mental health goes
beyond this limited definition and includes positive psychological functioning
and emotional well-being. In recent decades, mental health has gained
recognition as being equally important as physical health and is now regarded
as a crucial factor in promoting overall quality of life and well-being.
Addressing mental health concerns during adolescence is therefore essential for
better individual development and a healthier adult life.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage
during which mental health strongly influences present well-being and future
adult outcomes. However, adolescent mental health remains inadequately
addressed despite contributing nearly 10–20% of the overall disease burden in
this age group (WHO, 2020). Recent evidence suggests a rising prevalence of
mental health problems among adolescents, underscoring the need for focused
research.
In India, regional
and sociocultural factors further complicate adolescent mental health concerns.
The National Mental Health Survey reported a prevalence rate of 14.1% for
mental health disorders, with Manipur among the states showing higher rates Murthy (2017), National
Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. (2016). Despite adolescents being a vulnerable
population, empirical studies from the North Eastern
region remain limited. The present study addresses this gap by examining the
mental health status of higher secondary school students in Imphal West
District, Manipur, contributing context-specific evidence to support early
identification and intervention efforts.
OBJECTIVES
1)
To
compare the difference in mental health between male and female of higher
secondary students in Imphal West District, Manipur.
2)
To
compare the difference in mental health between male and female of higher
secondary students in Imphal West District, Manipur, based on the dimensions:
School, Home, and Peers.
HYPOTHESES
1)
There
exists no significant difference in mental health between male and female of
higher secondary students in Imphal West District, Manipur.
2)
There
exists no significant difference in mental health between male and female of
higher secondary students in Imphal West District, Manipur, based on the
dimensions: School, Home, and Peers.
RESEARCH METHOD
Descriptive
research method is used in the present study.
SAMPLE AND SAMPLING
The present study
employed a random sample of 243 higher secondary students (124 males and 119
females) aged 15-19 years from four (4) higher secondary schools in Imphal West
District, Manipur.
TOOL USED
To measure mental
health of the respondents, a standardized scale Mental Health Scale (MHS)
developed by Dr. Sushma Talesara and Dr. Akhtar Bano
was used.
STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES USED
Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation and
Independent samples t-test were used.
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
|
Table 1 Difference in the Mean Scores of
Mental Health Between Male and Female of Higher Secondary Students in Imphal
West District, Manipur
|
|
Gender
|
N
|
Mean
|
SD
|
df
|
t value
|
Result
|
|
Male
|
124
|
138.02
|
23.364
|
241
|
-0.848
|
|
|
Female
|
119
|
140.61
|
24.23
|
|
|
Not significant
|
The above table
revealed the difference between mean scores of male and female higher secondary
students in Imphal West District, Manipur. The t value found is not significant
at any level of confidence.
Thus, the
Hypothesis 1: There exists no significant difference in mental health between
male and female of higher secondary students in Imphal West District, Manipur
is accepted.
|
Table 2 Difference in the Mean Scores of
Mental Health Between Male and Female of Higher Secondary Students in Imphal
West District, Manipur Based on the Dimension - School
|
|
Gender
|
N
|
Mean
|
SD
|
df
|
t value
|
Result
|
|
Male
|
124
|
44.31
|
9.15
|
241
|
1.958
|
Not significant
|
|
Female
|
119
|
41.98
|
9.414
|
|
|
The above table
revealed the difference between mean scores of male and female higher secondary
students in Imphal West District, Manipur based on the dimension - School. The
t value found is not significant at any level of confidence.
|
Table 3 Difference in the Mean Scores of
Mental Health Between Male and Female of Higher Secondary Students in Imphal
West District, Manipur Based on the Dimension - Home
|
|
Gender
|
N
|
Mean
|
SD
|
df
|
t value
|
Result
|
|
Male
|
124
|
57.88
|
57.88
|
241
|
-1.911
|
Not significant
|
|
Female
|
119
|
60.55
|
60.55
|
|
|
The above table
revealed the difference between mean scores of male and female higher secondary
students in Imphal West District, Manipur based on the dimension - Home. The t
value found is not significant at any level of confidence.
|
Table 4 Difference in the Mean Scores of
Mental Health Between Male and Female of Higher Secondary Students in Imphal
West District, Manipur Based n the Dimension -
Peers
|
|
Gender
|
N
|
Mean
|
SD
|
df
|
t value
|
Result
|
|
Male
|
124
|
35.91
|
7.676
|
241
|
-2.211
|
Not significant
|
|
Female
|
119
|
38.08
|
7.64
|
|
|
The above table
revealed the difference between mean scores of male and female higher secondary
students in Imphal West District, Manipur based on the dimension - Peers. The t
value found is not significant at any level of confidence.
Thus, Hypothesis
2: There exists no significant difference in mental health between male and
female students in higher secondary schools in Imphal West District, Manipur,
based on the dimensions: School, Home, and Peers is
accepted.
DISCUSSION
The findings of
the study indicated that no significant differences between male and female
higher secondary students in Imphal West District, Manipur in overall mental
health and across the domains of school, home and peers. It can be interpreted
as there is no role for gender to play in determining the mental health among
adolescents. A possible result may be an equal exposure of both male and female
adolescents to comparable academic demands, family expectations, and peer
interactions. Changing social norms and increased educational opportunities may
have reduced traditional gender differences in mental health experiences.
Previous research has also reported similar findings, emphasizing that
environmental and psychosocial factors often have a greater influence on
adolescent mental health than gender alone Patel et
al. (2007), Rutter
(2002). A systematic review of adolescent mental
health studies in India reported that gender differences were minimal for
overall mental health outcomes, with both boys and girls showing similar levels
of psychological well-being Malhotra
and Patra (2021). Likewise, a study on adolescent mental
health found no significant gender variation in general mental health scores,
suggesting that shared environmental and social factors may play a stronger
role than gender in influencing adolescent mental health Singh et
al. (2020). These findings indicate that adolescents of
both genders may be similarly affected by common experiences related to
academics, family environment, and peer relationships World
Health Organization. (2020).
EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSION
Addressing mental
health concerns during adolescence is essential, as this developmental stage
plays a critical role in shaping future well-being. Promoting supportive school
and family environments may help enhance mental health outcomes for adolescents
irrespective of gender. The findings of the study suggest that mental health
concerns among adolescents are not significantly influenced by gender,
indicating that boys and girls experience similar challenges within school,
home, and peer contexts. Therefore, schools should adopt inclusive mental
health programmes that address common stressors such as academic pressure, peer
relationships, and family-related concerns. Life skills education,
stress-management activities, and counselling services can be implemented for
all students rather than focusing on gender-specific approaches. Parents,
teachers and school administrators should be sensitized to recognize early
signs of mental health difficulties and provide a supportive and
non-discriminatory school and home environment that promotes overall
psychological well-being among adolescents.
Therefore, it is
very crucial to check mental health of the adolescent students to avoid as well
as minimize the negative outcomes one gets from having poor mental health. It
is the need of the hour for the policymakers, educational administrators, mental
health professionals, psychologists, social workers, school authorities,
teachers and parents to collaborate and act accordingly to prevent development
of mental health problems as well as to improve the mental health state of the
future pillars. Interventions should be made at all levels to create awareness
of importance of mental health, life skills, coping up strategies, proper
guidance and counselling, social interaction programmes, personality and other
skills development programmes, extra-curricular activities, etc. Both the
parents and teachers have major responsibilities in maintaining and
understanding the mental health of the students. A proper care, early
detection, appropriate treatment and timely interventions could keep an
individual’s mind fruitful and healthy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
None.
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