GENDER VARIATIONS IN THE PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA
Abstract
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale. Analyses were carried out with the SPSS statistical software (version 21); frequencies and percentages, chi-squared statistics, and point-biserial correlations were examined. Results showed a high (35.4%) prevalence of general anxiety and depression among adolescents. Male respondents had a higher proportion of anxiety (32.1%), depression (31.5%), and general anxiety and depression (44.8%) compared to females who had 20.9% symptomatic depression, 21.9% anxiety, and 29.2% general anxiety and depression. Correlates of mental health symptoms in boys were mothers’ education and living with guardians. Having unemployed fathers correlated with anxiety symptoms in girls. Age, class, perceived family socioeconomic status, and emotional connection with parents/guardians were significantly correlated with mental health in both male and female adolescents; however, the pattern of these interactions varied between the genders. Since this study has shown that gender variations exist in the prevalence and correlates of poor mental health among Nigerian adolescents, programs targeting them should reflect gender considerations.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Amaefula, R. C. (2021). Toxic masculinity and shifting hegemony in Emeka Nwabueze's Rainstorm in the Desert. In U.-C. Nwaozuzu, C. Nwosu, & E. Aniago (Eds.), In our words: The colossal strides of Emeka Nwabueze (pp. 18-28). CNC Publications Enugu. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357172346
Anjum, A., Hossain, S., Hasan, M. T., Uddin, M. E., & Sikder, M. T. (2022). Anxiety among urban, semi-urban and rural school adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Investigating prevalence and associated factors. PLoS ONE, 17(1), Article e0262716. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262716
Chorpita, B. F., Moffitt, C. E., & Gray, J. (2005). Psychometric properties of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale in a clinical sample. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43(3), 309–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2004.02.004
Chorpita, B. F., & Spence, S. H. (2022, June 29). RCADS-47/25 child/parent batch scoring syntax [Version 1.0]. https://rcads.ucla.edu/scoringdownloads
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2011). Research methods in education (7th ed.). Routledge.
Cooper, K., Hards, E., Moltrecht, B., Reynolds, S., Shum, A., McElroy, E., & Loades, M. (2021). Loneliness, social relationships, and mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders, 289, 98–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.016
Costas, M., & Smith, O. (2020). Unseen and unheard: Tackling inequality in rural mental health [Blog]. Centre for Mental Health. https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/blogs/unseen-and-unheard-tackling-inequality-rural-mental-health
Danasu, R., Sathiyakala, K., & Sharmila, P. (2018). A study to assess the mental health characteristics among late adolescents at selected college in Puducherry. International Journal of Current Research, 10(5), 69493–69496. https://www.journalcra.com/article/study-assess-mental-health-characteristics-among-late-adolescents-selected-college
Ebesutani, C., Reise, S., Chorpita, B. F., Ale, C., Regan, J., Young, J., Higa-McMillan, C., & Weisz, J. (2012). The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale - Short Version: Scale reduction via exploratory bifactor modeling of the broad anxiety factor. Psychological Assessment, 24, 833–845. https://rcads.ucla.edu/node/7
Enaikele, M. D., Adeleke, T. A., & Adeoye, R. A. (2022). Get-Rich-Quick syndrome and the incidence of human rituals among South-West Nigerian youths: A sociological analysis of associated factors. KIU Journal of Humanities, 7(3), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.58709/kiujhu.v7i3.1527.101-112
Esteban-Gonzalo, S., Esteban-Gonzalo, L., Cabanas-Sánchez, V., Miret, M., & Veiga, O. L. (2020). The investigation of gender differences in subjective wellbeing in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(8), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082732
Fakhrunnisak, D., & Patria, B. (2022). The positive effects of parents’ education level on children’s mental health in Indonesia: A result of longitudinal survey. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13380-w
Galambos, N. L., Leadbeater, B. J., & Barker, E. T. (2016). Gender differences in and risk factors for depression in adolescence: A 4-year longitudinal study. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 28(1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/01650250344000235
Harris, B. (2021). Toxic masculinity : An exploration of traditional masculine norms in relation to mental health outcomes and help-seeking behaviors in college-aged males [Senior theses, 431, University of South Carolina]. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/431
Idowu, O. M., Adaramola, O. G., Aderounmu, B. S., Olugbamigbe, I. D., Dada, O. E., Osifeso, A. C., Ogunnubi, O. P., & Odukoya, O. O. (2022). A gender comparison of psychological distress among medical students in Nigeria during the coronavirus pandemic: A cross-sectional survey. African Health Sciences, 22(1), 541–550. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v22i1.63
Jones, R. M., Dick, A. J., Coyl-Shepherd, D. D., & Ogletree, M. (2012). Antecedents of the male adolescent identity crisis. Youth and Society, 46(4), 443–459. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X12438904
Jorns-Presentati, A., Napp, A. K., Dessauvagie, A. S., Stein, D. J., Jonker, D., Breet, E., Charles, W., Swart, R. L., Lahti, M., Suliman, S., Jansen, R., Van Den Heuvel, L. L., Seedat, S., & Groen, G. (2021). The prevalence of mental health problems in sub-Saharan adolescents: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 16(5), Article e0251689. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251689
Kalin, N. H. (2020). The critical relationship between anxiety and depression. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(5), 365–367. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20030305
Lewis, A. J., Kremer, P., Douglas, K., Toumborou, J. W., Hameed, M. A., Patton, G. C., & Williams, J. (2015). Gender differences in adolescent depression: Differential female susceptibility to stressors affecting family functioning. Australian Journal of Psychology, 67(3), 131–139. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12086
Martin, J., & Hadwin, J. A. (2022). The roles of sex and gender in child and adolescent mental health. JCPP Advances, 2(1), Article e12059. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.12059
Mind. (2019). The relationship between physical activity and mental health. Mental Health and Physical Activity Toolkit. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/physical-activity-and-your-mental-health/about-physical-activity/
Moretti, M. M., & Peled, M. (2004). Adolescent-parent attachment: Bonds that support healthy development. Paediatrics & Child Health, 9(8), 551–555. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/9.8.551
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Anxiety disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
New York Center for Living. (2018). Adolescent mental health treatment and risk factors. Addiction and Mental Health. https://centerforliving.org/blog/adolescent-mental-health-treatment-risk-factors/
Obi, C. T., & Peart, T. A. (2016). The gendered challenges faced by rural Nigerian adolescents (15 to 17 years) in agriculture and vocational education [ISSN 23483156; Print] International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 4(2), 524–553.
Ogbonna, P. N., Iheanacho, P. N., Ogbonnaya, N. P., Mbadugha, C. J., Ndubuisi, I., & Chikeme, P. C. (2020). Prevalence of mental illness among adolescents (15–18 years) treated at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu Nigeria, from 2004 to 2013. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 34(1), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2019.12.008
Omoegun, M., & Alli, K. (2020). Alcoholism and mental wellness among youths in Oyo metropolis: Implications for counselling. International Journal of Educational Research, 8(1), 88–100. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijer/article/view/205026
Polaris Teen Center. (2019, February 27). Difference between signs of depression or “moodiness” in teens. https://polaristeen.com/articles/depression-vs-moodiness-in-teens/
Priess, H. A., Linberg, S. M., & Hyde., J. S. (2009). Adolescents gender-role identity and mental health: Gender intensification revisited. Child Development, 80(5), 1531–1544. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01349.x
Prochaska, J. J., Fromont, S. C., Wa, C., Matlow, R., Ramo, D. E., & Hall, S. M. (2013). Tobacco use and its treatment among young people in mental health settings: A qualitative analysis. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 15(8), 1427–1435. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/nts343
Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021). Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(11), 1142–1150. hhtp://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482
Raising Children Network. (2021). Relationships with parents and families: pre-teens and teenagers. https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/communicating-relationships/family-relationships/relationships-with-parents-teens
Reisner, S. L., Vetters, R., Leclerc, M., Zaslow, S., Wolfrum, S., Shumer, D., & Mimiaga, M. J. (2015). Mental health of transgender youth in care at an adolescent urban community health center: A matched retrospective cohort study. The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 56(3), 274–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.10.264
Reiss, F. (2013). Socioeconomic inequalities and mental health problems in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Social Science & Medicine (1982), 90, 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.04.026
Rice, S., Oliffe, J., Seidler, Z., Borschmann, R., Pirkis, J., Reavley, N., & Patton, G. (2021). Gender norms and the mental health of boys and young men. The Lancet Public Health, 6(8), e541–e542. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00138-9
Salk, R. H., Janet S. Hyde, & Abramson, L. Y. (2017). Gender differences in depression in representative national samples: Meta-analyses of diagnoses and symptoms. Psychology Bulletin, 143(8), 783–822. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000102
Shirk, S., Talmi, A., & Olds, D. (2000). A developmental psychopathology perspective on child and adolescent treatment policy. Development and Psychopathology, 12(4), 835–855. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579400004144
Shrestha, R. B. (2019). Premarital sexual behaviour and its impact on health among adolescents. Journal of Health Promotion, 7, 43–52. https://doi.org/10.3126/jhp.v7i0.25496
Tordoff, D. M., Wanta, J. W., Collin, A., Stepney, C., Inwards-Breland, D. J., & Ahrens, K. (2022). Mental health outcomes in transgender and nonbinary youths receiving gender- affirming care. JAMA Network Open, 5(2), Article e220978. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0978
UNICEF Data: Mental Health. (2021). Ensuring mental health and well-being in an adolescent’s formative years can foster a better transition from childhood to adulthood. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/mental-health/
Walker, E. R., McGee, R. E., & Druss, B. G. (2015). Mortality in mental disorders and global disease burden implications a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(4), 334–341. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.2502
World Health Organization. (2021, November 17). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
World Health Organization. (2022). Mental disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
Yoon, Y., Eisenstadt, M., Lereya, S. T., & Deighton, J. (2022). Gender difference in the change of adolescents’ mental health and subjective wellbeing trajectories. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 1569–1578. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00787-022-01961-4
Zhang, X., Yang, H., Zhang, J., Yang, M., Yuan, N., & Liu, J. (2021). Prevalence of and risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms in a large sample of Chinese adolescents in the post-COVID-19 era. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 15, Article 80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-021-00429-8
Authors contributing to the International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies agree to release their articles under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 Unported license. This licence allows anyone to share their work (copy, distribute, transmit) and to adapt it for non-commercial purposes provided that appropriate attribution is given, and that in the event of reuse or distribution, the terms of this license are made clear.
Authors retain copyright of their work and grant the journal right of first publication.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Rights Granted After Publication
After publication, authors may reuse portions or the full article without obtaining formal permission for inclusion within their thesis or dissertation.
Permission for these reuses is granted on the following conditions:
- that full acknowledgement is made of the original publication stating the specific material reused [pages, figure numbers, etc.], [Title] by/edited by [Author/editor], [year of publication], reproduced by permission of International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies [link to IJCYFS website];
- In the case of joint-authored works, it is the responsibility of the author to obtain permission from co-authors for the work to be reuse/republished;
- that reuse on personal websites and institutional or subject-based repositories includes a link to the work as published in the International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies; and that the material is not distributed under any kind of Open Access style licences (e.g. Creative Commons) which may affect the Licence between the author and IJCYFS.
