The Association Between Perceived Maladaptive Parental Behavior and Conduct Disorder Symptoms Among Adolescents Attending the Youth Clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Youth with a diagnosis of Conduct disorder present the highest level of impairment and distress in all the living domains when compared with youths with other mental issues. Studies in Kenya have shown a high prevalence rate of Conduct disorder among juvenile delinquents and among adolescents. However, such prevalence has not been comprehensively examined when linked to maladaptive parental behavior. OBJECTIVES: The study examined the association between perceived maladaptive parental behavior with conduct disorder Symptoms among adolescents at the youth centre at Kenyatta National Teaching and Referral Hospital. More specifically it sought to determine the prevalence of conduct disorder symptoms among adolescents; examine the socio-demographic associated factors to conduct disorder among the adolescents; determine the prevalence of perceived maladaptive parental behavior among adolescents and determine the association between perceived maladaptive parental behaviors with conduct disorder Symptoms among adolescents at the KNH youth centre. METHODS: The study applied a quantitative method and a cross-sectional study design. Adolescents attending the youth center at KNH were the target population; from which 324 adolescents between the ages of 14-17 were sampled using the stratified random sampling technique. The Standard Conduct Disorder Scale (CDS) was used to measure conduct disorder, a researcher designed socio-demographic questionnaire was used to measure socio demographic factors and the Simplified Egna Minnen Betr¨affende Uppfostran (S-EMBU) tool was used to measure maladaptive parental behavior. DATA ANALYSIS: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, percentages and counts) used to describe data distribution. Inferential (Pearson’s correlations) statistics used to describe the relationship between variables. Regression analysis used to assess how independent variable predicts the dependent variable. ANOVA, a test of variance was used to test association between factors. RESULTS: A total of 324 adolescents participated in the study. The study finds that the prevalence of conduct disorder among adolescents attending the KNH youth centre at 37.6%. The respondents were mostly male (N=184, 56.8%) than female (N=140, 43.2%). Most respondents were between the ages of 16-17 (N-164, 50.6%) while those aged between 14 and 15 (N=160, 49.4%). Majority of the respondents had both parents (N=212, 65.4%) compared to those from single parent home (N=112, 34.6%). Majority of the respondents went to boarding school (N=226, 69.8%) than those in day schools (N=98, 30.2%). Further, only sex and age had a significant statistical difference with conduct disorder (Sex: P-value=.000; <0.05; Age: P-value=.004; <0.05). There was no statistical difference between family type and school type (family type: P-value=.202; >0.05; School type: P-value=.785; >0.05). The prevalence of perceived maladaptive parental behavior among adolescents at KNH youth centre was at 43.8%. There was a statistically significant effect of Perceived Maladaptive parental behavior on conduct disorder (p-value=<0.01). CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of both Conduct and perceived maladaptive parental behavior among adolescents attending the KNH Youth centre. Sex and age has an impact on Conduct disorder symptoms. Perceived maladaptive parental behavior is associated with conduct disorder symptoms. There is need for psychological interventions to help curb conduct disorder and maladaptive parental behavior to help adolescent grow mentally healthy.