Current Pediatric Research

Background: Adolescents are more vulnerable to emotional and social problems than others because they face multiple changes during their development. Parental attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs may influence help-seeking behavior concerning adolescent mental issues. This study aims to assess parents’ perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes toward dealing with changes among adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh over three months (January to April 2021). The participants were recruited through convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire was designed by a previous study and modified by the researchers to fit Saudi culture. Results: The results showed that the most prevalent problem from a parental perspective was bring nervous in new situations and easily loses confidence (43%). Furthermore, more than half (67%) of the parents disagreed that their teenager complained based on the problem "Does not have a good friend." The most prevalent category of complaints about adolescents from a parental perspective was emotional problems, followed by social problems, hyperactivity, and conduct problems. A high percentage of parents believed that too much coddling were the primary cause of emotional, social, and behavioral changes in adolescents. However, more than half of the participants disagreed, ignoring these changes. Furthermore, there is a significant association between income level and parents’ perceptions of adolescents’ complaints.

Author(s): Huny Bakry, Reem T Alrashedi, Ghaliah N Alayed, Noura S Mehaithif, Ibtihal A Malhani, Fatmah Almoayad*

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