Background: Indigenous teenage girls deal with special mental health issues because of economic difficulties, being excluded from their culture, and not having enough access to healthcare.
Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship between attitudes toward mental health and the level of risk for mental health problems among indigenous adolescent girls in Indonesia..
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 indigenous adolescent girls aged 12–18 years. Participants were chosen intentionally. We measured people's attitudes toward mental health using the Attitude Towards Mental Health Problems Scale (ATMHP) and the Mental Health Risk Screening Tool (MHRST). We used Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression to study the data.
Results: The study found a strong negative relationship between people's attitudes toward mental health and their risk for mental health issues (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). This means that having a positive attitude toward mental health is linked to a lower risk of problems. The study showed that how people feel about mental health is an important factor in understanding mental health risks (β = -0.37, p < 0.001). This held true even when considering their income status (β = -0.21, p = 0.002) and family support (β = -0.19, p = 0.007). The model accounted for 29% of the differences in mental health risk (Adjusted R² = 0.27, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: In conclusion, how people view mental health has a big impact on the likelihood of mental health issues in indigenous teenage girls. Programs designed for specific cultures that encourage a positive view of mental health and lessen shame can improve mental well-being.
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