Mental Health Outcomes Among Homeschooled and Traditionally Schooled Adolescents in Egypt (Ages 12–18): A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical stage for the development of mental health, with depression, anxiety, and stress being among the most common concerns. Educational environments are key determinants of adolescent well-being, yet limited evidence exists on how homeschooling compares with traditional schooling in low- and middle-income countries such as Egypt. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare depression, anxiety, and stress levels among homeschooled and traditionally schooled Egyptian adolescents aged 12-18 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 126 adolescents (20 homeschooled, 106 traditionally schooled). Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) in validated English and Arabic versions. Data were analyzed, and independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare mean scores and categorical severity levels across groups. RESULTS: Depression of varying severity was identified in 32.5% of all studied students, anxiety in 45.2%, and stress in 11.9%. Female adolescents reported significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores than males (p < 0.01). However, no significant differences were found between homeschooling and traditional schooling groups in mean scores or severity classifications for depression (p = 0.326), anxiety (p = 0.069), or stress (p = 0.052). CONCLUSION: Female adolescents exhibited significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to males, while the educational setting was not found to be significantly associated with mental health outcomes. Future studies with larger and more balanced samples, and preferably longitudinal designs, are recommended to further explore causal relationships and enhance generalizability across diverse educational contexts in Egypt and the wider Arab region.