Comparative Assessments of Psychological Outcome of Mental Health Issues Among Adolescent Student

Objectives: Adolescent mental health is a growing public health concern, particularly within school environments where academic and social pressures shape wellbeing. This study examined the psychological outcomes of adolescents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with emphasis on differences across school types and locations. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 424 adolescents aged 10–19 years in private and public secondary schools. Quantitative data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing the psychological outcomes of mental health among adolescents in FCT, with a focus on differences by school type and location. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 28. Results: Overall, 73.8% of adolescents reported good mental health outcomes, while 26.2% experienced poor mental health. A greater proportion of those with poor mental health outcomes were from public schools (58.6%) compared to private schools (41.4%), whereas 59.1% of adolescents with good mental health attended private schools (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between urban (72.1%) and rural (75.7%) adolescents. Adolescents commonly recognized difficulty concentrating (35.6%), withdrawal from activities (21.2%), and mood swings (20.8%) as signs of mental health challenges. Psychological self-assessments revealed that private school students reported higher frequencies of emotional distress (34.6%), behavioral difficulties (29.7%), and social isolation (27.1%), despite also demonstrating better self-image and self-esteem (52.4%). Conversely, public school students expressed greater self-confidence (48.8%) and satisfaction with physical appearance (45.2%), though they were more likely to experience overall poor mental health. Conclusion: While most adolescents demonstrated good psychological well-being, disparities exist between public and private school students. School-based mental health interventions, particularly in public schools, are essential to promote adolescent well-being.