Comparison of Mental Health Levels and Behavioural Disorders among Indonesian Adolescent Migrants and Local Non-migrants

The development of adolescent maturation is influenced by physical, cognitive and behavioural changes.This puts them at risk of experiencing difficulties in adjusting and triggering mental health problems.A comparative cross-sectional study on mental health levels between Indonesian migrants in Malaysia (migrants) and local Indonesian adolescents (non-migrants) was conducted in 2023 using a stratified sampling technique with a 3:1 ratio.The bivariate analysis using simple binary logistic regression analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression backward stepwise analysis was performed for all significant variables found in the bivariate analysis.It aimed to examine the relationships between the independent and dependent variables (mental health) for each group (migrant and Non-migrant).A validated questionnaire, translated into the Indonesian language, covers respondent characteristics, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), health risk behaviours, self-confidence, parental and peer support, and social relationships distributed at selected schools.The study recruited 191 Indonesian adolescents from local schools in Indonesia (Non-migrant) and 79 Indonesian migrant adolescents in Malaysia (migrant).The results found significant relationships (p < 0.05) for (i) the emotional domain of the SDQ and females (AdjOR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.16-0.57),(ii) the conduct problem domain and females (AdjOR:0.94;95%CI:0.90-0.98),(iii) the peer problem domain and females (AdjOR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.02-3.83)and (iv) the domains of difficulties and females (AdjOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20-0.93),non-Muslim religion (AdjOR: 15.96; 95% CI: 1.12-212.37),and violence (AdjOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14-0.91)among the non-migrant adolescents.Meanwhile, for migrant adolescents, significant relationship factors were (i) conduct problems domain with peer support (AdjOR:2.90;95%CI:1.12-7.1),(ii) hyperactivity domain with peer support (AdjOR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.30-6.54),social interaction (AdjOR: 7.13; 95% CI: 2.41-21.07)and (iii) strength domain with female (AdjOR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.05-4.93).Effective outcome-based strategy planning in the development of more inclusive and culturally sensitive interventions can support adolescent mental health in both groups.