Socio-Economic Determinants of Adolescent Mental Resilience: A Multilevel Analysis of the Impact of School Dropout Rates and Economic Dependency Ratios on Depression

Abstract

The rising prevalence of adolescent mental disorders necessitates a systemic evaluation of macro-socioeconomic determinants. This study aims to analyze the influence of regional school dropout rates and economic dependency ratios on the risk of depression among Indonesian adolescents. Utilizing a multilevel analytical design, the research synthesized integrated data from the 2023 National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas) and the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), encompassing 156,480 individuals aged 15–24 years across 514 regencies/cities. Results from multilevel logistic regression reveal that 12.4% of the variance in adolescent depression is attributable to regional-level factors. Significant positive associations were identified, where higher school dropout rates (OR=1.46;  ) and economic dependency ratios (OR=1.34;  ) significantly elevate depressive risks. These findings imply that educational exclusion and collective financial insecurity function as chronic structural stressors. Based on these results, it is suggested that the government integrate mental health screenings into educational retention programs and strengthen social safety nets in economically burdened regions. In conclusion, regional socioeconomic stability is a fundamental prerequisite for psychological well-being, suggesting that future interventions should target high-risk geographic clusters to mitigate the long-term human capital burden of mental disorders.