Psychosocial Maladjustments among Adolescent School Students in Delhi, India

Background: Accumulating evidences are showing that strengthening protective psychosocial factors in adolescents make important contributions in improving developmental outcomes. Hence the present study was conducted to study the psychosocial maladjustments and their determinants among adolescent school students in Delhi, India. Materials and methods: Questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted from February 2013 to September 2013 in four schools in South Delhi. All students studying in class 11 and 12 were included. Complete enumeration of the study subjects was done. Pareek’s Pre Adolescent Adjustment Scale (PAAS) was used to find psychosocial maladjustments among adolescent school students in five psychosocial domains (Home, School, Teachers, Peers and General). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The prevalence of home, school, teacher, peer and general psychosocial maladjustment were found to be 12.6%, 13.2%, 13.4%, 18.9% and 31.5% respectively. The risk of psychosocial maladjustment in all psychosocial domains was found to be higher among males, students studying in class twelve and belonging to lower socio-economic class. Conclusion: The study has revealed that psychosocial maladjustment in different psychosocial domains is present among adolescent school students in Delhi. This demands behavioral interventions in several psychosocial environments like home, school, peers and public places.