Effect of Family Relationship, Gender and Locale on Mental Health of Adolescents

The present study aims to study the effect of family relationship on mental health of adolescents. Adolescent period is the crucial factor to build personality and mental health. Family and social environment affects the mental health. Mental health is defined as the person’s ability to make positive self evaluation, to perceive the reality, to integrate the personality, autonomy, group oriented attitudes and environmental mastery.  Family relationship has important influence on person’s mental health. The objectives were to study the effect of family relationship, gender and locale on mental health of adolescent boys and girls. It was hypothesised that family relationship, gender and locale would affect the mental health of adolescents. A sample of 200 ( 100 boys and 100 girls )  was selected from different colleges located in Handia ( rural area ) and Prayagraj ( urban area ) .These subjects were administered family relationship inventory and mental health inventory. The collected data was analysed with the help of t test. The findings of the study reveal that gender and locale has no effect on mental health but the family relationship has significant effect on mental health of adolescents. Adolescents who have good mental health, who are successful and well developed came from families where positive relationship existed between them and their parents whereas adolescents who are discouraged and rejected at home lack concentration in social work. They had poor mental health.

Keywords:
Mental health, family relationship, adolescents , locale