Stress and depression among adolescents in Kisenyi in Central Kampala

Abstract

The study aimed at establishing a relationship the between stress and depression among adolescents in slum area of Kisenyi in Central Kampala. The study adopted a quantitative study design which was correlation in nature with a population of 140 adolescents. Simple random sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 103 respondents from the population. Data was collected from respondents using self-administered standard questionnaire and entered in the computer for analysis through Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23. Descriptive statistics showed that there more females (51.5%) compared to males (48.5%), majority were between 21-22 years (51.0%). Results from percentages indicated there are high levels of stress and depression among adolescents (93.9%). Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) further indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between stress and depression, (r=.612**, p=.000). Therefore, the present study provides a basis and implications for further investigation on the levels of stress, depression and relationship between stress and depression among adolescents in different slums in Kampala. It was recommended that the local authorities of Kisenyi need to support adolescents by designing programs that empower them to learn positive stress and depression coping techniques and also provide counselling services to them.