COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH OF FEMALE STUDENTS LIVING IN DORMITORIES OF WELFARE ORGANIZATION AND UNIVERSITY OF SISTAN & BALOUCHESTAN

: Background : The main purpose of this study was to assess and compare mental health of high school girl students living in dormitories of Welfare Organization and University of Sistan and Balouchestan. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the mental health of students living in dormitories. The sample of study consisted of 40 girl students recruited from students in dormitories of Zahedan welfare organization and the high school of Sistan and Balouchestan University. Mental health of participants was assessed by SCL-90-R and the data were analyzed using SPSS soft ware. Results: Findings of study showed significant differences between students living in dormitories of Welfare Organization and University of Sistan and Balouchestan.. The most prevalent symptoms among students in dormitories of Welfare organization were depression (90%), phobia (90%), anxiety (80%) and sensitivity in interpersonal relationships (80%), while the most prevalent symptoms among students in dormitories of university were depression (50%), paranoid ideation (45%) and compulsion (35%). Conclusion: High prevalence of psychological symptoms among students living in dormitories, especially among students in Welfare Organization suggests that effective strategies for preventing and treatment of psychological disorders must be developed and used in dormitories. [ZJRMS, 2012 14(2): 56-60 ]