Depression and coping strategies among sexually abused children

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between depression and coping strategies among sexually abused children in Talitha Koum in Wakiso district. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the levels of depression among sexually abused children, establish the levels of coping strategies among sexually abused children and to analyze the relationship between depression and coping strategies among sexually abused children The study adopted a quantitative and correlational research design because it was a specific type of non-experimental design used to describe the relationship between or among variables. The correlational research design was used to measure relationship between the three variables. Data was presented into statistical information using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to establish whether the variables were correlated. So the study findings revealed and concluded that there is negative relationship between the depression and coping strategies among the sexually abused children. The study recommended that Talitha Koum children center should train more counselors and be equipped with needed and required information since the results indicated that children who are sexually abused are mostly likely to be depressed at all times and the problems related to depression can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual‘s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities.