An Assessment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among Juvenile Offenders in Kenya: A Case of Shimo La Tewa and Kamae Borstal Institutions.

Abstract

Among juveniles and adolescents, PTSD may manifest somewhat differently than adults. Trauma reactions tend to be more behavioural or emotional versus overt symptoms. Kenya operates a unique youth justice system with Borstal Institutions acting as detention and rehabilitation centers for juvenile convicts aged 15-17 years. The goals of these facilities aim to promote reform through vocational training, education, counseling and skills development. The purpose of this study was to examine PTSD prevalence rates and associated socio-demographic characteristics among juvenile offenders at the Shimo La Tewa and Kamae Girls Borstal institutions in Kenya. The Objectives of the Study was to determine PTSD prevalence rates among juvenile offenders at Shimo La Tewa Borstal Institution and Kamae Girls Borstal Center. To investigate associations between PTSD diagnosis and socio-demographic factors including age, education level, family background, offense type, and length of detention among juvenile offenders. To explore coping strategies commonly utilized by juvenile detainees with PTSD symptoms compared to those without PTSD. This study holds significant importance for the juvenile offenders who are the primary respondents. By investigating PTSD among this population, the research aims to shed light on their mental health needs and experiences of trauma. The total Population of the study was total population of 300 juvenile offenders. The sample size of the study was the whole population of the juvenile offenders in the two Borstal Institutions. Quantitative analysis was conducted using SPSS software. PCL-5 scores were calculated to determine proportion exceeding the predetermined cutoff suggesting likely PTSD diagnosis. The study found a high prevalence of PTSD among juvenile offenders at Shimo La Tewa Borstal Institution and Kamae Girls Borstal Center. At Shimo La Tewa, 28.3% of respondents reported no PTSD, 23.6% reported mild PTSD, 28.3% reported moderate PTSD, and 19.8% reported severe PTSD. At Kamae Girls, 34.6% reported no PTSD, 26.9% reported mild PTSD, 23.1% reported moderate PTSD, and 15.4% reported severe PTSD. The differences in PTSD severity levels between the two institutions were not statistically significant (p = 0.537). The study did not find statistically significant associations between PTSD and socio-demographic factors such as age (p = 0.281), gender (p = 0.742), education level (p = 0.217), family background (p = 0.127), type of offense (p = 0.378), and length of detention (p = 0.451). Although variations in PTSD levels were observed, these differences were not statistically significant. The study found that juvenile offenders without PTSD symptoms more frequently used positive coping strategies such as talking to friends/family (76.1% vs. 58.2%, p = 0.011) and meditation/prayer (54.3% vs. 41.1%, p = 0.051). Negative coping strategies like substance use and isolation/withdrawal were similarly used by both groups. Regression analysis showed that positive coping strategies were negatively associated with PTSD symptoms, while negative coping strategies were positively associated, indicating their respective roles in mitigating or exacerbating PTSD.