Psychosocial Determinants and Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A Preliminary Retrospective Analysis.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70672/saez0e28Keywords:
Adolescents, Generalised anxiety disorder, Major depressive disorder, Malaysia, Psychosocial.Abstract
Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are prevalent among adolescents, yet evidence on psychosocial determinants and treatment responses remains limited. This retrospective study investigates the psychosocial determinants, prescribed treatments, and treatment outcomes in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) at a Malaysian hospital. Data from 80 adolescents aged 10-19 years were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Low self-esteem (16.5%) and dysfunctional family dynamics (15.4%) were identified as the most common determinants. Combined psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy were prescribed to 62.5% of patients, significantly improving symptom outcomes (p = 0.005). Disabilities were significantly associated with MDD and GAD diagnoses (p = 0.041), increasing the odds of developing these disorders by approximately 25-fold. The findings emphasise the need for integrated psychosocial and pharmacological interventions to optimise treatment outcomes, as well as the need for customised strategies in the care of adolescent mental health.
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