AN EXPLORATION OF RESTORING STRATEGIES FOR ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS:

THE CASE OF FAMILIES IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Families are witnessing a rise in adolescent depression, attributable to societal changes and weakened social fabric. Depression impairs adolescents’ psychosocial functioning, with potential long-term risks that can manifest in adulthood if treatment is delayed, because adolescence is critical for optimal development. The importance of family lies in its roles of socialization, protection, and providing social support to its members. Despite approval of antidepressants and psychotherapy as conventional treatments, they remain highly inadequate, costly, and inaccessible, especially in low-resource settings. Guided by Family Resilience Theory, the study explored the strategies adopted by families when responding to adolescent depression in low-resource settings such as Kisumu County. It employed a convergent mixed-method approach and a cross-sectional design. Face and content validity were ensured through expert analysis, review, along with internal consistency reliability. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were administered to purposively sampled main respondents, who were parents of adolescents diagnosed with depression within the preceding 12 months. Key informant interviews were conducted with psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and psychiatrists selected purposively. Necessary approvals were obtained, and adherence to ethical considerations ensured. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, using frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, and inferentially using Spearman's correlation. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, with findings presented through tables and narratives. There was consensus on helpfulness of collaborative problem solving (M= 4.01, S.D= 1.10) and daily family prayers (M= 4.06, S.D= 1.25). However, external help seeking (M= 2.62, S.D= 1.42), and relocating adolescents (M= 1.95, S.D= 1.23) were perceived as avoidant strategies which worsened adolescent depression outcomes. The study concludes that there was a weak and statistically significant negative correlation between collaborative problem-solving and adolescent depression outcomes (r=-.27**). However, following hospital-based instructions had a very weak and statistically significant negative correlation with adolescent depression outcomes (r = -.19*), yet it is clinically recommended. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Kisumu County Government, should develop and implement structured, evidence-based family support programs beyond informal practices to equip families with the skills to support