Assessment of Depressive Symptoms Severity among Secondary School Adolescents in Kiambu County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Ngata, Theresia Wangari
Mvungu, Eunice Njeri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EdinBurg
Abstract
Depressive symptoms have different levels of severity such as mild, chronic as well as acute.
The symptoms may lead to feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, sadness, and helplessness. The
purpose of this study was to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms that are manifested
by secondary school students in Kiambu County. The targeted population was secondary
school adolescents in Kiambu County. Data was collected using standardized instruments. The
adolescent depressive symptoms severity was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire9: Modified for Teens (PHQ-9: teens). The findings on the severity of depressive symptoms
manifested by the adolescents revealed that 38.6% of students had mild depression, 24.2% had
minimal depression, 20% had moderate depression, 13.3% had moderately severe depression
and 3.9% had severe depression. The study recommends the need for the Ministry of Education
to hire counselors and psychologists to provide mental health services in secondary schools.
This will assist students in managing depressive symptoms. The study further recommends that
school management introduce programs aimed at bringing parents and students together to
discuss family issues affecting student’s mental health.
Description
Article
Keywords
Depressive symptoms, severity, adolescents
Citation
Ngata , T. W. ., & Mvungu, E. N. . (2023). Assessment of Depressive Symptoms Severity among Secondary School Adolescents in Kiambu County, Kenya. Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Religious, 3(3), 13–21. Retrieved from https://edinburgjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-sociology/article/view/233