The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts
Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental disorders (CMDs) affecting adolescents and young adults (AYA). CMDs often emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, yet are frequently diagnosed in adulthood. Understanding the burden and correlates of CMDs is essential...
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2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23890-y |
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| author | Audrey Moyo Lovemore Nyasha Sigwadhi Stanley Carries Nokwanda Sithole Reuben Christopher Moyo Arvin Bhana Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu Eugene Lee Davids Theresa Munyombwe Innocent Maposa Darshini Govindasamy |
| author_facet | Audrey Moyo Lovemore Nyasha Sigwadhi Stanley Carries Nokwanda Sithole Reuben Christopher Moyo Arvin Bhana Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu Eugene Lee Davids Theresa Munyombwe Innocent Maposa Darshini Govindasamy |
| author_sort | Audrey Moyo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental disorders (CMDs) affecting adolescents and young adults (AYA). CMDs often emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, yet are frequently diagnosed in adulthood. Understanding the burden and correlates of CMDs is essential for informing public mental health interventions. However, limited research incorporates the perspectives of AYA with lived experience of mental health conditions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with CMDs among AYA aged 15–24 years in South Africa, incorporating insights from those with lived experience. Methods First wave South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) mental health data, collected between March 2021 and April 2022 in three rural areas, were used. AYA with complete mental health information were included. CMDs were the primary outcome, defined as the presence of either depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 [PHQ-2] score ≥ 3), anxiety symptoms (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-2 [GAD-2] score ≥ 3), or both. Participatory workshops with 17 AYA aged 18–30 years with lived experience of mental health conditions informed the secondary data analysis and interpretation. Exposure variables included age, sex, living with both parents, relationship to the household head, school attendance, and occupation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examined correlates of CMDs, accounting for clustering by surveillance site. Results Among n = 11,346 AYA, CMD prevalence was 9.0% (n = 1026). Increased odds of CMDs were associated with having children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.54, p = 0.016), being the head of household, a spouse, or a sibling of the household head (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.29–1.89; p < 0.001), and being an extended family member of the household head (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08–1.46; p = 0.002). Conclusion CMD prevalence among rural AYA in South Africa was 9.0%, with early parenthood and not being the child of the household head identified as key correlates of increased CMD risk. These findings suggest that early parenthood and family structure may contribute to CMDs. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of these correlates using longitudinal datasets, while considering broader contextual factors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2881f6869004e5391e41ebf9f7fd7b9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-b2881f6869004e5391e41ebf9f7fd7b92025-08-24T11:55:42ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-08-012511910.1186/s12889-025-23890-yThe prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience expertsAudrey Moyo0Lovemore Nyasha Sigwadhi1Stanley Carries2Nokwanda Sithole3Reuben Christopher Moyo4Arvin Bhana5Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu6Eugene Lee Davids7Theresa Munyombwe8Innocent Maposa9Darshini Govindasamy10Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityHealth Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilHealth Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityHealth Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of PretoriaLeeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of LeedsDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityHealth Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilAbstract Background Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental disorders (CMDs) affecting adolescents and young adults (AYA). CMDs often emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, yet are frequently diagnosed in adulthood. Understanding the burden and correlates of CMDs is essential for informing public mental health interventions. However, limited research incorporates the perspectives of AYA with lived experience of mental health conditions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with CMDs among AYA aged 15–24 years in South Africa, incorporating insights from those with lived experience. Methods First wave South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) mental health data, collected between March 2021 and April 2022 in three rural areas, were used. AYA with complete mental health information were included. CMDs were the primary outcome, defined as the presence of either depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 [PHQ-2] score ≥ 3), anxiety symptoms (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-2 [GAD-2] score ≥ 3), or both. Participatory workshops with 17 AYA aged 18–30 years with lived experience of mental health conditions informed the secondary data analysis and interpretation. Exposure variables included age, sex, living with both parents, relationship to the household head, school attendance, and occupation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examined correlates of CMDs, accounting for clustering by surveillance site. Results Among n = 11,346 AYA, CMD prevalence was 9.0% (n = 1026). Increased odds of CMDs were associated with having children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.54, p = 0.016), being the head of household, a spouse, or a sibling of the household head (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.29–1.89; p < 0.001), and being an extended family member of the household head (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08–1.46; p = 0.002). Conclusion CMD prevalence among rural AYA in South Africa was 9.0%, with early parenthood and not being the child of the household head identified as key correlates of increased CMD risk. These findings suggest that early parenthood and family structure may contribute to CMDs. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of these correlates using longitudinal datasets, while considering broader contextual factors.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23890-yCommon mental disordersDepressive symptomsAnxiety symptomsAdolescentsYoung adultsLived experience |
| spellingShingle | Audrey Moyo Lovemore Nyasha Sigwadhi Stanley Carries Nokwanda Sithole Reuben Christopher Moyo Arvin Bhana Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu Eugene Lee Davids Theresa Munyombwe Innocent Maposa Darshini Govindasamy The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts BMC Public Health Common mental disorders Depressive symptoms Anxiety symptoms Adolescents Young adults Lived experience |
| title | The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts |
| title_full | The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts |
| title_fullStr | The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts |
| title_full_unstemmed | The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts |
| title_short | The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa: analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts |
| title_sort | prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders among adolescents and young adults in rural south africa analysis of household survey data informed by lived experience experts |
| topic | Common mental disorders Depressive symptoms Anxiety symptoms Adolescents Young adults Lived experience |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23890-y |
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