Teenage Blues: Predictors of depression among adolescents in Nigeria
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Authors
Dadematthews, Adefunke
Nzeakah, Chukwuemeka
Onofa, Lucky
DadeMatthews, Oluwagbemiga
Ogundare, Temitope
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Issue Date
17/04/2024
Type
Journal article
Language
Keywords
Children and Young People
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
Depressive disorders, with a prevalence of 15-21%, are among the most common disorders in children and adolescents, and increases the risk of suicide, the second leading cause of death in children aged 10 to 19.
Aim
To determine the prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders among senior students attending secondary schools in Abeokuta.
Method
The study was conducted in five schools randomly selected from a representative sample and was carried out in 2 phases. In the first phase, students were selected via systematic random sampling and given consent forms and GHQ-12 to administer to the parents. In the second phase, students who returned a signed informed consent form and filled out GHQ-12 were interviewed using MINI-KID, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Family-APGAR, and sociodemographic questionnaire. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted with p-value <0.05 as level of significance.
Results
The mean age was 15.3 years (SD = 1.27); 48.8% were male. The twelve-month prevalence of major depression was 11.3% and dysthymia was 1.4%. In the final regression analysis, female gender [OR = 4.3, p = 0.046], the experience of bullying [OR = 7.96, p = 0.004], difficulty getting along with friends, [OR = 7.5, p = 0.004], history of sexual abuse [OR = 8.1, p = 0.01], and perceived family dysfunction [OR = 4.9, p = 0,023] were found to be independent predictors of depressive disorders.
Conclusion
Depressive syndromes are a significant health burden in adolescents. Being female, being bullied, having a history of sexual abuse, and family dysfunctionality are risk factors associated with depression among these population.
Description
Citation
PLoS One. 2024 Apr 17;19(4):e0293995. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293995. PMID: 38630744; PMCID: PMC11023510.
Publisher
License
Journal
PLoS ONE
Volume
19
Issue
4