An Assessment of The Correlation Between Depression and Aggression among Juvenile Offenders: Case of Selected Juvenile Detention Centers in Nakuru and Nairobi Counties, Kenya.

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency stands out as an alarming global issue, impacting communities and straining the juvenile justice system in different ways. In Kenya, the prevalence of juvenile crime has raised alarms, particularly regarding the psychological well-being of various young offenders. Depression and aggression have stood out as two critical psychological challenges that frequently define the behavioral aspects of juvenile offenders, hindering effective rehabilitation. Evidence from current empirical literature shows a strong correlation between depression and aggression among juvenile offenders, which impugns the projected rehabilitative outcomes adopted by the juvenile justice system. This study sought to assess the correlation between depression and aggression among juvenile offenders in the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home and the Nairobi Children’s Remand Home in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study included assessing the severity of aggression among juvenile offenders, analyzing the gender differences in the expression of depression and aggression, and establish the correlation between depression and aggression among juvenile offenders. The research employed a cross-sectional correlational design that gathered quantitative data from 62 out of the 65 selected juvenile offenders. This was gathered from the two study centers using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) to measure aggression and the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) to assess depression levels, representing a 95.4% response rate. 3 respondents did not participate in data collection since they had gone to attend their court cases. Results established a high prevalence and high severity of depression and aggression among juvenile offenders, creating a strong correlation between these two variables among the population. Specifically, the prevalence of depression among this population was found to be 61(99%), ranging from severe 34(54.8%), mild 21(33.9%), and moderate 7(11.3%). Only 1 (1.1%) out of the 62 reported no signs of depression. The second objective assessed the severity of aggression, and findings indicated a severity rate of 43(69.4%), with the severity of physical aggression standing at 40(64.5%), verbal aggression 40(67.7%), hostility 41(66.1%), and anger 48(77.4). The third objective assessed gender differences in the expression of depression, and results varied across the population, with male offenders reporting to be more physically aggressive and hostile while female offenders reporting to be verbally aggressive with a lot of anger. The last objective sought to establish the correlation between depression and aggression among juvenile offenders, and results showed a positive association between these two variables, indicating a high correlation between severe depression and the three forms of aggression such as physical, verbal, hostility, and anger. The findings underscore the need for targeted psychological interventions in juvenile remand centers to address mental health issues effectively. The study recommends the adoption of psychological interventions in juvenile centers by deploying mental health professionals, providing systematic counseling services, offering family therapy sessions, and providing educational support programs to address severe depression and aggression. Moreover, it was emphasized that staff capacity building is required to prevent burnout and enhance the rehabilitation process for juvenile offenders at the remand centers to aid in the reintegration of these populations into society.