Indian Journal of Youth and Adolescent Health (E-ISSN: 2349-2880)

Relationship between Emotions and Moods during Menstruation and Development of Behavioural and Personality Traits among Adolescent Girls

2026-01-08T05:49:42+00:00

Emotions and moods are great influencers of individuals’ attitude towards self and others. Development of attitude towards both - self and others is important. Many a times, we forget, that when we are exhibiting a negative attitude towards others, we are also simultaneously affecting our own selves also and the response comes in the form of varying degrees of feelings and thinking and the response driven out from there affecting decision making, behaviour, and this again impacting development of behavioural and personality traits which could possibly over a period of time could become our behaviour and personality. Emotions giving rise to feelings – positive and negative are always in a mix, not always negative or positive. Therefore, affect, emotions and moods are interrelated. Affect relates to broad range of feelings, including both emotions and moods, and emotions are intense, discrete and short-lived feeling experiences caused by specific events. Menstruation in this exploratory study refers to as generating varying degrees of feelings and moods. Mood swings that led to the culmination of linking menstruation with development of behavioural and personality traits and this paper brings out dozens of emotions – anger, contempt, enthusiasm, envy, fear, frustration, disappointment, embarrassment, disgust, happiness, hate, hope, jealousy joy, love, pride, surprise, sadness, bore, content and list can be added. A direct consequence of these emotions, if they continue and persist, and repetitively occur, may lead to development of varying types of behavioural processes eventually taking the shape of individuals behaviour and personality traits. This paper, based on the phenomenological research carried out qualitatively has unfolded realities about adolescent girls undergoing menstruation amidst several cultural dimensions to disclosures and / non-disclosure of the event, discovered representation of the menstrual event in a girl and / women cannot be represented on faces, but at the same time the consequential effect of continuing and persisting of various negative and positive emotions transform into various positive and negative traits depending on what kind of feelings – negative or positive that came up during menstruation as it recurs every month. The study proceeded with the menstrual stories of adolescent girls and unfolded from the story, various episodes, and discovering the behavioural processes that could have happened resulted in gradually development of behavioural and personality traits – negative, positive and also high potential, presented here in this paper.

Mental Health Literacy among Adolescents in Aizawl, Mizoram, India

2026-01-21T12:25:42+00:00

Background
Adolescence is a critical period marked by significant developmental changes, during which many mental health issues emerge. However, these issues are often neglected, increasing the risk of chronic conditions and relapse. Against this backdrop, this paper aimed to examine the level of mental health literacy among adolescents in Mission Veng, Aizawl, Mizoram, India, and to explore their perspectives on mental health.

Methods

The paper, based on a primary study, utilised the Mental Health Literacy Scale developed by O’Connor and Casey (2015), along with an interview schedule prepared by the researchers. Data were collected from 50 adolescents and five social work practitioners. Statistical analysis, including the U-test, was employed to examine differences in mental health literacy across age and gender

Results
Adolescents scored between 92 and 110 on the Mental Health Literacy Scale, with a mean score of 100.74, suggesting a general awareness of mental health and its relevance to daily life. Based on the U-test, the research further indicated that adolescents in the region have a general awareness of mental health irrespective of age and gender.

Conclusion
The paper highlights that while adolescents in Aizawl demonstrate general mental health awareness, there remains a pressing need for enhanced education and awareness initiatives within schools and communities. Strengthening early interventions is crucial for promoting mental well-being and addressing mental health issues effectively during adolescence.

Adolescent-Friendly Health Services in India: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice

2026-01-08T05:56:00+00:00

Adolescents in India, comprising nearly one-fifth of the population, face a complex mix of health challenges spanning sexual and reproductive health, mental well-being, nutrition, substance use, non-communicable diseases, and injuries. Despite the introduction of dedicated policies such as the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health strategy (2005) and the more holistic Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (2014), and the establishment of Adolescent-Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs), a persistent gap remains between policy intent and actual service delivery. Evidence shows low awareness and utilization of AFHCs, particularly among boys, with access largely restricted to basic services like sanitary napkin distribution. Structural and human resource deficiencies, including lack of privacy, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficiently trained or sensitized providers, further deter adolescents from seeking care. Regional disparities are stark, with some states demonstrating well-functioning models while others struggle to establish even basic facilities. Stigma, around sexual health, menstruation, and mental health, remains a major barrier, silencing adolescents and pushing them toward unreliable sources of information. Policy evaluations suggest that solutions lie less in creating new frameworks than in strengthening existing ones through better training, accountability, and adolescent engagement. Expanding the role of peer educators, ensuring privacy and confidentiality in every clinic, and involving adolescents in governance are critical steps toward improving trust and utilization. Equally important is engaging schools, families, and communities to normalize health discussions and reduce stigma. Testimonies from adolescents highlight that respectful, confidential, and non-judgmental services are valued more than the mere availability of clinics or staff. India stands at a crossroads where adolescent health must be reframed as a societal investment rather than a programmatic obligation. By embedding equity, confidentiality, and youth participation at the core of implementation, India can convert its policy commitments into tangible outcomes, ensuring that adolescents grow into healthier, empowered adults and laying a stronger foundation for national progress.