Daystar University Publications

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Browsing Daystar University Publications by Subject "Abuse"

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    Predictors of Symptoms of PTSD, Depression and Anxiety Disorders Among Abused and Neglected Adolescents Living in Charitable Children’s Institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (African Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2019) Nyagwencha, Stella Kemuma; Munene, Alice; James, Naomi
    Research shows that people exposed to traumatic events are relatively more prone to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which tends to co-exist with depression and anxiety disorders. This study sought to establish the predictors of symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders among abused and neglected adolescents living in charitable children’s institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya. The sample was 115 adolescents aged 13-18 years, presenting with symptoms of mild and moderate anxiety disorder comorbid with PTSD and depression and living in 3 purposely selected charitable children’s institutions. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Participants were administered a SocioDemographic Questionnaire, Becks Anxiety Inventory, Becks Depression Inventory-II and Harvard trauma questionnaire. Results of a multiple hierarchical regressions showed that symptoms of PTSD were statistically significantly predicted by age (F (2, 87) = 2.479, p<.05) and sexual abuse in the second model (F (6, 83) = 2.689, p<.05) and third model (F (8, 81) = 2.182, p<.05). Depression was statistically significantly predicted by emotional abuse seen in the second (F (6, 83) = 3.005, p<.05) and third model (F (8, 81) = 2.364, p<.05). Symptoms of anxiety disorder were predicted by the first (F (2, 87) =.669, p<.05), second (F (6, 83) =1.729, p<.05) and third (F (8, 81) =1.416, p<.05) model collectively. Abuse and neglect could lead to adolescents developing symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders.
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    Prevalence of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression and Anxiety Among Abused and Neglected Adolescents in Charitable Children’s Institutions in Nairobi.
    (American Journal of Applied Psychology, 2018) Nyagwencha, Stella Kemuma; Munene, Alice; James, Naomi; Mewes, Ricarda; Barke, Antonia
    Children living in institutions experience separation from their birth parents and other caregivers. Further, they also suffer from the effects of abuse and neglect which led to their institutionalization as well as effects of institutional care despite the fact that their physical needs like food, clothing and shelter are adequately met. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among adolescents with a history of abuse and neglect living in charitable children’s institutions (CCIs) in Nairobi County, Kenya. Three purposely selected CCIs in Nairobi, Kenya, housing 341 adolescents aged between 13-18 years were studied. Of these, 232 adolescents provided informed consent or assent depending on age, reported sociodemographic data and answered questions about experiences of abuse and neglect. They also completed the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Of the 232 respondents, 63.2% had experienced abuse and neglect. Analyses of mental health symptoms indicated that symptoms of anxiety had the highest point prevalence of 84.1%, followed by those of depression at 50.4% and PTSD at 21.6%. Due to the abuse experienced, adolescents living in CCIs represent a vulnerable group in terms of mental health and psychological support adapted to the needs of this group should be provided
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    Types of Abuse Experienced by Adolescents Living in Charitable Children’s Institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (African Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2018) Nyagwencha, Stella Kemuma; Munene, Alice; James, Naomi
    Adolescents are at a high risk of exposure to possible abuse due to their vulnerability and dependence on caregivers. The objective of this study was to establish the types of abuse experienced by adolescents with mild and moderate symptoms of anxiety disorder and living in charitable children’s institutions (CCIs). Data was collected from three CCIs in Nairobi County, Kenya. The sample size was made up of 115 adolescents who gave informed consent and met the inclusion criteria. The respondents were administered a socio-demographic questionnaire, which was asking questions about socio-demographic characteristics and previous experiences of abuse. The respondents also completed Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to be able to establish the presence and severity of symptoms of anxiety disorder. Respondents who experienced neglect were 60.9% while 42.1% experienced emotional abuse. Those who experienced physical abuse were 26.1% while 13.0% experienced sexual abuse. Males had a higher mean in physical abuse and neglect while females had a higher mean in sexual abuse and emotional abuse. These study findings are important because they would inform policy makers on the types of abuse adolescents living in CCIs have experienced and add to the existing body of knowledge on abuse among adolescents. Further, this information would enable policy makers to integrate treatment and prevention programs for abused adolescents living in CCIs. It is such abuses which were responsible for these adolescents ending up in CCIs in the first place.