Factors Associated with The Development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder among Students in Public Boarding Schools: A Case of Kikuyu Sub-County in Kiambu County

Abstract

This study investigated the factors associated with the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among students in public boarding schools in Kikuyu Sub-County, Kiambu County. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, targeting 315 students in Forms 2–4, since in 2025, Form 1 students were not admitted under the 8-4-4 system as it was being phased out by the Kenyan Government to Competency-Based Education. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire incorporating the GAD-7 scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple regression. Guided by Attachment Theory, Stress and Coping Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory, the study found that 34.2% of students experienced moderate to severe GAD symptoms, with females and younger adolescents disproportionately affected. Significant predictors included academic pressure, family relationships, social interactions, gender, and age. Coping strategies relied heavily on informal mechanisms such as peer support and relaxation techniques, while awareness and utilization of professional mental health services remained limited. The study concludes that GAD is a pressing mental health challenge in Kenyan boarding schools, particularly in the context of structural educational transitions. It recommends integrating school-based mental health services, strengthening psychosocial support, and implementing policy reforms that reduce systemic stressors and build resilience among adolescents.