Analysis of affective disorders and its association with resilience and other socio demographic factors among primary school children in Kenya using binary logistic regression
Abstract
One out of every four people in Kenya is depressed. However, resilience conceptualized as an
individual’s ability to cope with adversities has been shown to be one of the most protective
factors against affective disorders as well as other mental disorders. This study thus aimed at
exploring the relationship between affective disorders and resilience as well as other significant
predictors of affective disorder among school children in Kenya. Analysis was based on
secondary data from a cross sectional study that involved administration of the Youth Self
Report (YSR) and socio demographic questionnaire to 23 sampled schools in Kenya. 2261
children and adolescents between standard five through seven were included in our analysis.
A total of 2261 children with a mean age 12.66 years (range 10 to 18 years) were included in our
analysis. 14% of school children had affective problems with 12.8% having more than one
common psychiatric disorder. Using binary logistic regression, male gender, mother's
employment, being older for a particular grade, residing from a peri-urban area and having
divorced or separated parents increased the likelihood of having an affective disorder. A key
finding was that high resilience trait was a protective factor for affective disorders.
In conclusion, affective disorders are common among children and adolescents. Findings from
this study provide evidence that resilience is a significant negative predictor of affective disorder.
Therefore, fostering resilience at a younger age especially in schools and at home is crucial in
preventing and reducing affective disorders and psychiatric co morbidities in order to prevent
any detrimental effects as children and adolescents progress to adulthood.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Thesis Master of Science in Medical Statistics