Prevalence and associated factors of emotional and behavioral problems in Indonesian early adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Emotional and behavioral problems remain a concern among Indonesian early adolescents in the post-pandemic, with emotional symptoms being the most prevalent. Internal risk factors, such as eveningness chronotype and low emotional regulation, as well as external factors like maternal education level and intrafamilial communication, were significantly associated with these issues. These findings suggest a need for early mental health screening and targeted interventions. For nursing practice, this highlights the role of nurses in school and community settings in promoting emotional regulation, strengthening family communication, and delivering health education tailored to familial and developmental contexts.