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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this descriptive research was to examine the depression-related symptom
experiences and symptom management strategies of female adolescents in senior high schools,
southern Thailand. One hundred and three subjects were selected based on Kirk,s rule.
All of them were identified as having depression using the criteria of Tavee et al.
The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: (1) the personal data profile, (2)
perception of depression symptoms questionnaire, and (3) the symptom management questionnaire.
Content validity was verified by 3 experts. Parts two and three of the questionnaire were tested for stability
using the test-retest method. The percentage of agreement of depresion symptoms, severity of
depression symptoms, and symptom management questionnaire was more than 80,
respectively.
The results revealed that all subjects perceived symptoms related to mood component; 98.1
percent perceived symptoms related to cognitive behavior component and 55.3 percent perceived
symptoms related to somatic component. For mood component, 90.3 percent showed sadness
and wanted to cry. For cognitive behavior component, 83.5 percent showed indecision.
For somatic component, 41.7 percent showed insomnia. For the severity of depression, it was
found that more than 50 percent rated all three depression symptoms at a low level. Considering
symptom management revealed that the most of subjects symptom management within three
components, used relaxing methods, among whom used entertainment activities.
The results reflect the perception of depression symptoms and various methods in managing
symptoms, which health teams can use for promoting female adolescents, knowledge of depression
and promoting appropriate symptom management strategies for female school adolescents.
Keywords :
Depression symptom experiences, Depression symptom management Strategies,
Female adolescents
