Assessment of Depression and the Coping Strategies among Adolescents in Public Secondary Schools: Case of Langata Barracks Secondary School, Langata Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the assessment of depression and the coping strategies among adolescents in public secondary schools in langata barracks secondary school, langata sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study’s objectives were: to assess the severity of depression among adolescents, establish the relationship between socio-demongraphic factors and the severity of depression and analyze coping strategies adopted by adolescents. The study was quantitative and it was comprised of 471 respondents (287 boys and 187 girls) between 13-18 years of age. Census research method was used. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires comprised of socio-demographic data section, Beck’s Depression Inventory, Second Version (BDI-II) to assess the severity of depression and a Likert Scale to help analyze the coping strategies. Data was entered, cleaned, and analyzed objective by objective using the Statistical Package for Social Science, (SPSS) version 27 and presented in planned tables, graphics, and descriptives. The severity of depression was reported at (n=160, 45.85%) where (n=94,26.9%) had moderate and (n=66,18.9%) severe depression. The severity of depression showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.000) for gender, class, gender and class, and age and class. There was no statistical association found for the severity of depression and age (p=0.003), gender and class (p=0.068), and gender, age, and class (p=0.267). Wholistic mental health approach should be implemented in combating depression among adolescents in public secondary schools. More studies should be conducted to explore biopsychosocial factors that predict depression among adolescents in public secondary schools in Kenya.