Important factors in the observation dimensions of high school Yogo teachers to detect prodromal symptoms of mental health issues in adolescents

Abstract

Background: It is difficult to predict which type of student will subsequently develop psychosis. In Japan, the school nurse is called as a Yogo teacher and the role is similar to that of school nurses in Western countries. Our purpose was to investigate the viewpoint dimensions of Yogo teachers who had provided support to high school students with prodromal symptoms of mental health issues. Methods: We designed and sent by mail an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to Yogo teachers of daytime public high schools. Ninety Yogo teachers (48.1%) responded. The sample for analysis comprised 66 Yogo teachers who had provided support for students with mood disorders. We performed exploratory factor analysis to determine correlations between the variables. Results: Regarding prodromal symptoms of mental health issues in the students, the factor analysis resulted in three factors and 13 items. The factors were: “Instability in mental status”; “Unstable interpersonal relationships”; and “Anger and critical thinking”. The scales demonstrated satisfactory to good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.761–.836). Limitations: Since this survey was not conducted for mental disorders of high school students other than mood disorders, further studies are required to verify the specificity of these factors to mood disorders. In addition, the sample size is relatively small. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that it may be beneficial to monitor the emotions, cognition, social interactions, and interpersonal relationships related to the early stages of mental health issues in high school students.

Keywords

• Prodromal symptoms
• Mental health issues
• Mood disorders
• High school students
• School nurse