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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
Prevalence and correlates of emotional problems among adolescents in Mauritius
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, Vol.First online
22/09/2025
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Abstract
Youth emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression, remain under-researched and under-prioritised in Mauritius, an upper-middle-income country. In particular, there is limited evidence on their prevalence and associated risk factors among adolescents. This study therefore aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of emotional problems in a sample of Mauritian adolescents. Participants were 818 adolescents from six secondary schools across Mauritius who completed questionnaires measuring general difficulties and positive attributes; symptoms of anxiety and depression; sleep quality; lifestyles and habits; and cognitive emotion regulation (ER) strategies. Compared to boys, girls reported greater overall emotional problems and higher impact of these difficulties on their everyday life. Girls also had a higher prevalence of emotional symptoms and hyperactivity, whereas boys reported greater conduct and peer problems. Boys exhibited more prosocial behaviour than girls. Poor sleep quality, unhealthy lifestyles and habits and cognitive maladaptive ER strategies were found to be significant predictors of emotional problems. Poor sleep quality was found to be a predictor of depressive symptoms and overall emotional problems. Poor health and exercise and sense of purpose significantly predicted both anxiety and depression, while nutrition significantly predicted depressive symptoms only. Maladaptive ER strategies significantly predicted anxiety, depression and overall emotional problems. These findings highlight the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors – such as sleep quality, lifestyle behaviours and emotion regulation strategies – in efforts to improve adolescent mental health in Mauritius.
Details
- Title
- Prevalence and correlates of emotional problems among adolescents in Mauritius
- Creators
- Karishma Ramdhonee-Dowlot - University of RoehamptonKieran Balloo - Southern Cross UniversityEvren Morgül - University of RoehamptonCecilia A. Essau - University of Roehampton
- Publication Details
- Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Identifiers
- 991013316328402368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- SCU College
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article