Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders among Adolescents in Selected Orphanages in Kenya
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Date
2022-10
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences
Abstract
This study sought to examine the prevalence of common mental disorders among adolescents in selected orphanages in Kiambaa Sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study objectives were to establish the prevalence of common mental disorders, examine the role played by the orphanages to support adolescents with common mental disorders, and investigate the level of preparedness of orphanages in providing mental health support to adolescents. The study was based on the attachment theory and the ecological systems theory. A descriptive survey was used in the study and the sample size included 133 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and focused group discussions, and was later coded and analyzed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. From the study findings, the prevalence of common mental disorders was quite high. Anxiety disorder was highly prevalent among adolescents with a score of 83%, depression stood at a total score of 89%, indicating severe symptoms of depression, and PTSD had a high total score of 5 out of 7, revealing great functional impairment of the adolescents in the orphanages. The role played by the orphanages to support adolescents with common mental disorders was weak due to a lack of qualified and well-trained personnel and caregiver burnout. The level of preparedness of orphanages in providing mental health support to adolescents was also very low. The study concludes that it is extremely important for caregivers to go through mental health capacity-building training frequently, management to plan for and seek to have a mental health professional to support caregivers, and better counselling session follow-up for adolescents to deal with trauma and psychological distress. The study recommends the national and county governments support orphanages in the provision of mental health support by employing psychologists who can support social workers and caregivers.
Description
MASTER OF ARTS in Counselling Psychology
Keywords
common mental disorders, orphanages, adolescents
Citation
Ndiritu, M. G. (2022). Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders among Adolescents in Selected Orphanages in Kenya. Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences