A Study on Mental Health among Nomadic Adolescents

Abstract

The present study investigated the mental health status of nomadic adolescents and its relationship with demographic variables, focusing on gender and school-going status. The objectives were to assess the overall level of mental health, examine demographic characteristics, and analyse differences in mental health scores between male and female adolescents and between school-going and non-school-going adolescents. A survey research design was employed, and 120 nomadic adolescents aged 13–18 years were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a standardised mental health assessment scale. Percentage Analysis and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results indicated that 59.17% of adolescents had moderate mental health, while 18.33% had low and 22.50% had high levels. No significant gender differences were observed, whereas school-going adolescents demonstrated significantly higher mental health scores than non-school-going adolescents (p < 0.05). The findings highlight the importance of education and structured support in promoting mental well-being among nomadic adolescents. The findings provide useful evidence for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals in developing culturally appropriate interventions for marginalized nomadic communities.