The prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents in Nairobi public secondary schools: association with perceived maladaptive parental behaviour

Abstract

Objective: Depression in adolescents is a matter of concern because of its high prevalence, potential recurrence and impairment of functioning in the affected individual. The study sought to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents in Nairobi (Kenya) public secondary schools; make a comparison between day and boarding students; and identify associated factors in this population. Method: A random sample of school going adolescents was taken from a stratified sample of 17 secondary schools out of the 49 public secondary schools in Nairobi province. The sample was stratified to take into account geographical distribution, day and boarding schools, boys only, girls only and mixed (co-education) schools in the capital city of Kenya. Self administered instruments (EMBU and CDI) were used to measure perceived parental behaviour and levels of depression in a total of 1,276 students excluding those who had no living parent. Results: The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was 26.4%. The occurrence was higher in girls than it was in boys p<0.001. Students in boarding schools had more clinically significant depressive symptoms compared to day students (p=0.01). More girls exhibited suicidal behaviour than boys (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour (p<0.001). CDI scores correlated positively with age (p<0.001) with an increase in CDI score with unit increase in age among students 14-17 years old, perceived rejecting maternal parenting behaviour (p<0.001), perceived no emotional attachment paternal behaviour (p<0.001), perceived no emotional attachment maternal behaviour (p<0.001), and perceived under protective paternal behaviour (p=0.005).Conclusion: Perceived maladaptive parental behaviours are substantially associated with the development of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in children.

One size does not fit all: Psychometric properties of the Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ) among adolescents and young adults in Zimbabwe

“…Other studies in Africa among same aged post-secondary students produced similar findings, suggesting that test-taking and performance-based stress can increase young adults' odds for depression (Khasakhala et al, 2012;Raman and Janse van Rensburg, 2013). Students in the later stages of their education are likely to be undertaking competitive examinations that determine admission to highly competitive tertiary institutions.…”

“…Although previous studies worldwide vary greatly in their methodology, sufficient convergence has emerged to implicate several sociodemographic variables captured in this data set as potential risk factors for misclassification of depression (Araya et al, 1992;Chipimo and Fylkesnes, 2010;Cluver et al, 2009;Das et al, 2007;Jewkes et al, 2010;Kaggwa and Hindin, 2010;Khasakhala et al, 2012;Langhaug et al, 2010;Mavhu et al, 2013;Nyamukapa et al, 2010;Scholte et al, 2011). Studies have shown that gender, education, wealth levels, orphan status, and age can have varying effect on depression misclassification (Araya et al, 1992;Lewis and Araya, 1995;Mari and Williams, 1986;Schmiege and Russo, 2005;Whetten et al, 2011).…”

Suicidal behaviour among youths associated with psychopathology in both parents and youths attending outpatient psychiatric clinic in Kenya

“…The constructs were further factually derived into four perceived parenting behaviour dimensions: emotionally attached parent (emotionally/physically abusing and authoritarian parenting behaviour), rejecting parent (emotionally and physically neglecting parenting behaviour), under-protective parent (permissive or under-involved parenting behaviour) and adaptive parenting behaviour (authoritative parenting behaviour), which are distributed across the four scales [30,31]. This questionnaire is self-administered and has been used in Kenya in a similar age group population [32]. …”

Prevalence and Predictors of Depression among Adolescents in Ido Ekiti, South West Nigeria

“…In urban community settings of developing countries such as Kenya, Khasakhala et al [7] reported 26.4% as the one month prevalence of depression among 1276 adolescents in Nairobi. In Nigeria, Omigbodun et al [8] reported 12.6% as prevalence of probable depression among adolescents in rural South West Nigeria and found experiencing traumatic events as one of the predictors of depression especially when the event directly affected the youth as in sexual assault or physical abuse.…”