A review on children and adolescents’ mental health indicators: Towards a valid mental health assessment in Hungarian youth
Authors
Beáta Erika Nagy1, Karolina Eszter Kovács2*, Tamás Varga3, Péter Boris1, Tamás Józsa4, Róza Oláh3
1 Pediatric Psychology and Psychosomatic Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary
2 Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
3 Department of Child and Youth Psychiatry, University of Debrecen Kenézy Gyula, Teaching Hospital, Debrecen, Hungary
4 Doctoral School of Human Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
Abstract
The application of appropriate qualitative and quantitative indicators of youth’s mental health is vital for the entire health care system, including the individuals, health care providers, and health policy. These can enable both researchers and policymakers to carry out comparisons across time, interindividual differences and culture. In our scoping review, we aimed to identify psychological, social and systemrelated indicators that can provide direct and indirect information regarding Hungarian youth’s mental health status. Additionally, we focused on providing a model regarding mental health evaluation measures, comparable to the international models. To determine the indicators of mental health, international and Hungarian literature was reviewed through primary and secondary sources. During the analysis, the following databases were searched: ERIC, Google Scholar, MedLine, Pubmed, ResearchGate and Science Direct. A total of 76 papers met the criteria, containing 38 Hungarian studies and 38 international ones. The review revealed that, similar to the international trends, the Hungarian assessment of positive (e.g., satisfaction with life, aspiration index, social support, coping skills, health-preserving behavior), negative (e.g., emotional symptoms, social difficulties, sadness, depression, anxiety) and other mental health indicators (e.g., alcohol abuse, drug-related disorders, suicide, bullying,) can be measured by standardized, validated tests. The indicators identified in the current review can support professionals and policymakers to systematically improve the quality of health care. With the use of appropriate indicators, more accurate results concerning the current mental health status of the children and youth can be provided, which would enable more effective prevention and intervention in the health care system and related domains.
Keywords: indicators, mental health, youth, children, adolescents
PAGES:357-383
doi:10.24193/cbb.2021.25.18
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