Mental health issues among adolescents are of serious public health importance. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between family characteristics and the mental health status of adolescents in secondary schools in a rural community in South west Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Family functionality was assessed using family APGAR standardised instrument. Mental health was assessed using the strength and difficulty questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and binary logistics regression model at p < 0.05. A total of 279 respondents were assessed. The prevalence of clinically significant mental health problems was found to be 38%. The predictors of mental health problems were family functionality (OR = 2.2; CI = 1.267–3.885) and mothers’ occupation (OR = 0.39; CI = 0.159–0.995) Our study demonstrated that family characteristics affect the mental health of in-school adolescents. The enhancement of family relationship and socioeconomic status would promote the mental wellbeing of in-school adolescents.

青少年的心理健康问题对公共卫生具有重要意义。进行这项研究是为了确定家庭特征与尼日利亚西南部农村社区中学的青少年心理健康状况之间的关系。进行了描述性横截面研究。使用家庭APGAR标准化仪器评估家庭功能。使用强度和难度调查表评估心理健康。在p处使用描述性统计，卡方检验和二元物流回归模型分析数据 <0.05。总共对279名受访者进行了评估。临床上重要的心理健康问题的患病率为38％。心理健康问题的预测指标是家庭功能（OR = 2.2； CI = 1.267–3.885）和母亲的职业（OR = 0.39； CI = 0.159–0.995）。我们的研究表明，家庭特征会影响在校青少年的心理健康。家庭关系和社会经济地位的改善将促进在校青少年的心理健康。