Risk Factors for the Mental Health of Adolescents from the Parental Perspective: Photo-Voice in Rural Communities of Ecuador

Esteban Baus, Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca, Molly Frey and Venus Medina-Maldonado ()
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Esteban Baus: Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Medicine Faculty, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Nayón 170530, Ecuador
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca: Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Nayón 170530, Ecuador
Molly Frey: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OUHCOM), Dublin, OH 43016, USA
Venus Medina-Maldonado: Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Nursing Faculty, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Nayón 170530, Ecuador

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Mental health in adolescence is a very important topic worldwide, especially in rural areas. The implementation of Participatory Action Research (PAR) through the photo-voice method was a way to encourage adults to recognize problematic situations (at personal, family or community levels) that threaten the well-being of adolescents, but that in everyday life may go unnoticed by parents and caregivers. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for mental health in adolescents living in rural communities of Ecuador from the parental perspective through photographs and focus group discussions. The study sought to raise awareness of this issue at the family and community levels. The photo-voice method was conducted with the participation of 29 parents. The photographs and the collaborative construction of meanings allowed parents to have a better understanding about the importance of mental health and its benefit for adolescents. The principal risk factors mentioned by parents were stress, sleep deprivation, tiredness, poverty, difficulties in continuing education and alcohol consumption. In conclusion, we point out the importance of this intervention to explore the knowledge and understanding of the topic by parents as well as to communicate information that demystifies false beliefs around mental health.

Keywords: mental health; adolescents; risk factors; photo-voice; community participation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
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