Factors affecting relationship issues among clients attending youth mental health promotion services in India

Pradeep Banandur; Kalpana Gopalan; Shikha G Pai; Mutharaju Arelingaiah; R Sathya Velu; Lavanya Garady; Jyoti M Koujageri; Vani Naik; Sateesh L Sajjanar; M S Ramesh; K Srinivas; Gururaj Gopalkrishna

doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_809_21

Factors affecting relationship issues among clients attending youth mental health promotion services in India

J Educ Health Promot. 2022 Apr 28:11:123. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_809_21. eCollection 2022.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
² Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
³ Department of Psychology, APS University, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India.
⁴ Department of International Centre for Public Health Innovations, RAMAIAH, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
⁵ Management and Commerce, CMR Institute of Management Studies, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Abstract

Background: India today is home for the largest youth population in the world. Youth is a formative phase transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Relationship is fundamental for a healthy and satisfactory life. Relationships assume importance and maturity during adolescence and youth. Relationships and mental health have a bidirectional effect. The effect of relationships on mental health is stronger than vice versa.

Materials and methods: Two-year case record analysis of 8595 beneficiaries aged 15-35 years attending youth guidance centers (Yuva Spandana Kendras) in Karnataka, India, was undertaken to understand factors affecting relationship issues among them. Multivariate logistic regression was performed with any beneficiary having a relationship issue as outcome.

Results: Being a student (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-1.89), occupation (AOR_{business/salaried} = 3.04; 95% CI = 2.10-4.40 and AOR_others = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.22-2.44), marital status (AOR_married = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.06-1.90 and AOR_others = 3.44; 95% CI = 1.45-8.15), having health and lifestyle issues (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI = 3.05-4.27), personality issues (AOR = 2.88; 95% CI = 2.43-3.41), safety issues (AOR = 6.28; 95% CI = 5.01-7.87), gender, sex, and sexuality issues (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.93-4.98), suicidality (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.17-2.85), alcohol use (AOR = 5.43; 95% CI = 3.92-7.41), and different emotions experienced (AOR ranging from 0.37 to 3.50), had significant association with relationship issues.

Conclusion: Investing in health promotion interventions focusing on these precursors of relationship issues among youth seems strategic. Our findings have implications for other states in India and other low-middle-income countries like India.

Keywords: Mental health; relationship; youth.