Abstract:
This research paper aims to explore the correlation between mental health and personality traits in teenagers. With the increasing prevalence of mental illnesses among teenagers, it is essential to understand how different personality traits may contribute to their mental well-being. The study utilized a survey-based method to collect data from 50 high school students in a suburban area. The data analysis involved quantitative techniques such as cross-tabulation and correlation analysis, as well as qualitative techniques like content analysis and thematic analysis. The findings suggest that personality traits of conscientiousness and neuroticism exhibit a negative correlation with mental illness rates, while extraversion, agreeableness, and openness demonstrate a positive correlation. Academic stress was identified as a significant contributor to mental health issues. The paper concludes by suggesting solutions to prevent and address mental illness in teenagers based on their personality traits.
Introduction:
Mental health issues among teenagers have become a growing concern in recent years. Alarming statistics indicate a rise in the prevalence of mental illnesses in this age group. The pressure of society, academics, and peers often overwhelms teenagers, leading to mental health challenges. As mental health gains prominence in the field of medicine, it becomes crucial to identify mental illnesses early on for better future outcomes. This study aims to investigate the correlation between mental health and personality traits in high school students, with the goal of providing insights into potential interventions.
Hypothesis:
High school students of diverse personality traits are in correlation to the rate of mental health.
Method:
This study utilizes the renowned scientific method of a survey to gather information and data from the target audience.
Target Population: 50 High school students in the suburban area of West Windsor.
Data Collection: Fifty students at West Windsor Plainsboro High School South received an approved email containing two computerized tests and a result survey. The first test, called "National Youth Mental Health Screening," measured the level of mental illness on a scale of 0 to 70. It included 35 personal questions on a Likert scale and 15 demographic/identity questions. The second test, known as "The Big Five Personality," consisted of 60 questions that assessed personality traits on a rating scale of 1 to 5. The test categorized students into five personality types: Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism. Each type represented different characteristics such as imagination, discipline, empathy, outgoingness, and emotional stability. The third questionnaire was to fill out the student reflection survey called “Mental Health Screening Survey” consists of 4 questions, 1) the person’s name, 2) their mental illness rate (shown by the previous test result). 3) personality type (shown by the previous test result). 4) the cause of the stress (multiple choices academics, and family/friends) an open-ended choice was also given if neither of the multiple choice answers best describes the cause of their stress. The purpose of this survey was to gather all of the information in one place to make it easier when analyzing the data, and to identify the causes of the issue.
Data Analysis Techniques:
Quantitative( personality and mental illness ) were analyzed through: Cross Tabulation
Qualitative(questionnaire) was analyzed through Content analysis
The interview was analyzed through Thematic analysis and interpretations
Data Visualization: The data portrayed was conducted anonymously to produce the statistics for scientific analysis. The visuals used were displays such as scatter plots, pie charts, and quotes from a psychiatrist.
Graphs and Findings:
Fig 1. This image represents the causes of mental illness in teenagers answered by teenagers in a survey.
Fig 2. This image displays the severity of mental illness, on a scale 0-70
(70 being the highest amount of mental illness and close to 0 being the lowest amount of mental illness).
Interview quotes:
“90% of the students face academic stress that causes severe issues”
“The pressure of being the top and getting into college or being part of something is affecting students mentally”
“Different students react to these situations differently, so it is important to be aware of how to treat each person to help them get through”
Possible Bias and Errors :
Based on one highly competitive high school in New Jersey. The majority of the students in the school are Asian (70% in school vs 80% participants).
Acquiescence Bias
Social desirability
Results:
The survey data was examined through the use of cross-tabulation. This is a crucial step to identity patterns, and relationships between the variables. This frequency evaluation identifies the association, independence, and interaction between mental illness rates and personality. These factors contributed to establishing the claim that higher mental illness levels derived from the personality of conscientiousness and neuroticism. Content analysis is a research analysis technique to inspect and intercept the characteristics of qualitative data. In accordance with the respondents, the major contributor to the increase in mental illness rate was academics, this was an open response consequently it was analyzed and identified through the process of systematically coding and categorizing the content of the data in order to identify patterns, themes, and relationships. Correlation analysis was pursued to identify relations. The key intermediate variable was the Mental Health Illness rate. The survey (n=50) shows a significant increase in the mental illness rate of high school students through the extensive correlation analysis who exhibited the personality traits of conscientiousness and neuroticism. However, the traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and openness demonstrated a correlation through a decrease ( r= -0.64) in the rate of mental illness. Other factors such as physical activity(all students were involved in sports), pre-existing mental health issues, and therapy. Thus showing no significant correlation (0.02) to change in mental health. Thematic analysis was implemented to evaluate themes and patterns of data collected in the interview with the psychiatrist. Through the process of familiarization, initializing codes, and defining themes and patterns through relevancy. Focusing on difficulty, diversity, quotes, and statistics. Allowing to hypothesize and provide insight into the complex phenomena of the effects of mental illness to high school students, based on personality.
Conclusion:
100% of students who possess the characteristics of neuroticism have higher mental illness rates, in comparison to 100% of those who possess the characteristics openness who show low mental illness rates.
The majority of all students regardless of personality, or mental illness rate all display a strong indication towards academics for the cause of their stress, which is supported by the school psychologist and counselors.
Solutions:
How can we aid to prevent the damages of mental illness in teenagers, based on personality?
Each individual must understand themselves truly well in order for them to overcome any struggles they may face, thus creating a platform or program with a professional personality psychologist to help identify the identity of each individual in terms of personality.
Create personality workshops and engage lessons for teachers, and counselors that help create a supportive environment based on people who actually understand them.
As academic pressure is a main contributing factor; creating an extra class in middle school to analyze all studying methods to determine which works best for the indivdual.
Citation
(Cover Image Source: medium.com)
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