Background:
Mental health screening tools developed in Western countries may not work the same way inother cultural contexts. Before conducting mental health research or providing services in Kenya, researchersneeded to validate whether common depression and anxiety measures are appropriate for Kenyan adolescents.
Methods:
2,160 adolescents from 10 Kenyan secondary schools completed surveys measuring depression,anxiety, wellbeing, and various life circumstances. Researchers examined whether the screening tools werereliable and valid, estimated how many students had symptoms, and identified factors associated with mentalhealth.
Findings:
The depression and anxiety screening tools worked well with Kenyan adolescents, showing goodreliability and validity. 32% of students had depression symptoms and 44% had anxiety symptoms. Studentsfrom poorer families, those with more life stressors, and those with less social support were more likely toexperience symptoms.
Implications:
Western-developed mental health screening tools can be appropriately used with Kenyanadolescents when properly validated. The high rates of depression and anxiety symptoms highlight an urgentneed for accessible mental health services in Kenyan schools. The connection between poverty, stress, andmental health suggests that interventions should address both psychological symptoms and socialcircumstances.
