Assessment of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Major Depressive Disorder among Adolescents: Case of Selected Public Secondary Schools in Dagoretti North Sub County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) encompass various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, often leading to future mental health disorders. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of ACEs and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among adolescents in Dagoretti North Sub County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The objectives included determining the prevalence of ACEs, assessing the levels of MDD, establishing the relationship between ACEs and MDD, and identifying protective factors that mitigate MDD. A sample of 300 students was surveyed using self-administered questionnaires, and data were analyzed using SPSS and NVivo. The study found that 57.3% of participants experienced high levels of ACEs, with males more likely to report higher ACEs than females. A majority (61.3%) of participants reported moderate levels of depression. Domestic violence was strongly correlated with other ACE factors, but no significant relationship was found between domestic violence and MDD. While emotional neglect approached significance, none of the ACE dimensions were strong predictors of MDD. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between ACE levels, gender, and school environment, highlighting that male students and those from specific schools were more likely to experience high ACEs. Family support, quality time with family, school environment, and peer relationships were identified as critical protective factors against MDD. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive mental health interventions in schools to address ACEs and mitigate their impact on adolescent mental health.