Resettlement Disruptions and Major Depressive Disorder among Adolescents At Kalobeyei Settlement, Kakuma, Kenya.

Abstract

Adolescents in displacement settings face heightened vulnerability to mental health disorders, with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) being particularly prevalent. However, limited empirical evidence exists on how specific resettlement disruptions, such as relocation frequency, caregiving instability, and duration of stay, shape the onset and severity of depression among displaced adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study addressed this gap by examining the influence of resettlement disruptions on the prevalence and severity of MDD among adolescents aged 12–19 years in Kalobeyei Settlement, Kakuma, Kenya. Guided by Social Support Theory, Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, and the Stress and Coping Theory, a descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, using a stratified random sample of 389 adolescents. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression modeling. Findings revealed a high burden of depression, with 18.4% of adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for MDD and over three-quarters reporting at least mild depressive symptoms. No significant differences were observed by gender or age, although length of stay in the settlement was associated with lower depression scores, suggesting adaptation over time. Living arrangements significantly shaped outcomes, with adolescents living alone reporting the highest depression scores, while those under relative or foster care demonstrated lower distress. School attendance showed only marginal protective influence, whereas relocation frequency did not significantly predict depression. Alarmingly, 40.9% of participants reported suicidal ideation in the past 30 days and 30.2% had attempted suicide. The study concludes that while some resettlement disruptions, such as relocation, may not directly exacerbate depression, caregiving environments and settlement duration critically shape adolescent mental health. These findings underscore the urgent need for community-based psychosocial support, strengthened caregiving structures, and targeted interventions for adolescents at risk. By addressing the psychosocial implications of resettlement disruptions, the study contributes evidence to inform policy and humanitarian programming for adolescent mental health in displacement contexts.