Background
Adolescent mental health in Sub-Saharan Africa is not well studied, even though depression and anxiety are common. This study aimed to see how well Western tools (PHQ-8 and GAD-7) work with Kenyan adolescents and to examine how symptoms relate to social, school, and demographic factors.
Methods
We collected data from 7,865 secondary school students aged 13–20 between 2021 and 2023. Students completed questionnaires on depression, anxiety, social support, sense of control, and wellbeing. We analyzed reliability, prevalence, associated factors, and how symptoms connect in networks.
Results
The tools worked reliably. About 30% of students had depression and 25% had anxiety. Symptoms were highest in 2021, dropped in 2022, then slightly increased in 2023. Social support and sense of control reduced symptoms, while final-year students, girls’ schools, and lower academic performance were linked to higher symptoms. Worry, hopelessness, and nervousness were key symptom connections, and optimism was the most central protective factor.
Implications
Western tools can be used confidently with Kenyan adolescents. Depression and anxiety are common and linked to school environment, academic stress, and social support. Interventions should target worry, hopelessness, and build optimism, social support, and control to improve adolescent mental health.
