More girls than boys experienced mental pressure, and the latest Young Life and Times survey report also reveals that exams are a greater cause of teenage stress than bullying.
Ed Cairns, a psychology professor at the University of Ulster, says the research, which forms part of the 2004 Young Life and Times Survey, is a warning signal about the growing incidence of mental health problems among young people.
The survey was completed by 824 respondents across Northern Ireland last year. A joint project of the University of Ulster and Queen's University, Belfast, the Young Life and Times Survey is conducted annually, and records attitudes and experiences among the province's 16-year-olds. The research is funded under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.
The latest findings echo a trend identified by policymakers, researchers and practitioners throughout the province which shows a growing number of young people developing mental health problems.
Key findings include