RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY COHESION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG THE YOUTH IN MIDDLE-LEVEL COLLEGES WITHIN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The study investigated the relationship between family cohesion and psychological distress among young people in middle-level colleges in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Problem Statement: Globally, research has demonstrated increased levels of psychological distress among youth. Studies further suggest a decline in family cohesion. While research on psychological distress and family cohesion exists, it has mainly focused on the general youth population and university students, leaving out a majority of youth in middle-level colleges
Methodology: The study employed a correlation design to examine the prevalence of psychological distress and levels of family cohesion among 18-25-year-old students. Using the FACES and K10 scales, data was collected from 411 students in 20 public and private colleges.
Results: The results revealed a significant negative correlation between family cohesion and psychological distress (r = -.747). A considerable number of respondents exhibited unbalanced levels of cohesion (69.1%) and a high prevalence of psychological distress.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of family cohesion in mitigating psychological distress among young people. The study's implications for mental health support, guidance, and counseling programs in middle-level institutions are discussed.
Recommendations: The study recommends that young people engage in self-reflection regarding family cohesion and seek professional help when needed, while college administrators should implement counseling programs and psycho-educational sessions to address psychological distress. Additionally, policy makers in relevant ministries should develop comprehensive policies that promote family cohesion and create awareness about youth psychological distress through targeted family intervention strategies.
Keywords: Family Cohesion, Psychological Distress, Youth, Middle-Level Colleges-Kenya
References
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OECD (2011). Families are changing. Doing better for families. https://www.oecd.org/els/soc/47701118.pdf
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. The Journal of Family Therapy. www.lifeinnovations.com
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Depression and anxiety symptoms, social support, and demographic factors among Kenyan high school students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(5), 1432–1443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01646-8
Othieno, C., Okoth, R., Peltzer, K., Pengpid, S & Malla, L. (2014). Depression among university students in Kenya: Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates. Journal of Affective Disorders. 165, 120–125. https://10.1016/j.jad.2014.04.070
Pan, Y., Yang, Z., Han, X., & Qi, S. (2021). Family functioning and mental health among secondary vocational students during the COVID-19 epidemic: A moderated mediation model. Personality and Individual Differences, 171, Article 110490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110490
Pengpid, S. & Peltzer, K. (2020). Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among a national sample of in-school adolescents in Bhutan. Preprints, doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0710.v1.
Pössel, P., Burton, S. M., Cauley, B., Sawyer, M. G., Spence, S. H., & Sheffield, J. (2018). Associations between social support from family, friends, and teachers and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Journal of youth and adolescence, 47(2), 398–412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0712-6
Rada, C. (2014). Family adaptability and cohesiveness evaluation scale III in Romania. Procedia, 127, 31-35. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.207
Rawatlal, N, Kliewer,W & Pillay, B. (2015). Adolescent attachment, family functioning and depressive symptoms. South African Journal of Psychiatry. 21(3) 80-85. DOI:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v21i3.672
Ren Z, Zhou G, Wang Q, Xiong W, Ma J, He M,…Zhang, X. (2019). Associations of family relationships and negative life events with depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 14(7), e0219939. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219939
Rodriguez, E.M., Donenberg, G.R., Emerson,E., Wilson, H.W., Brown,L.K, & Houck, C. (2014). Family environment, coping, and mental health in adolescents attending therapeutic day schools, Journal of Adolescence, 37(7), 1133-1142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.07.012
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United Nations Children’s Fund (2021). The measurement of mental health problems among adolescents and young adults throughout the world. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(2021)361-362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.06.009
Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An introductory analysis, (2nd Ed). New York: Harper and Row
Zhang, M., Zhang, J., Zhang, F., Zhang, L., & Feng, D. (2018). Prevalence of psychological distress and the effects of resilience and perceived social support among Chinese college students: Does gender make a difference? Psychiatry Research, 267, 409-413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.038
American Psychological Association (2022). Dictionary of psychology psychological distress URL. https://dictionary.apa.org/psychological-distress
Berryhill, M., Harless, C. & Kean, P. (2018). College student cohesive-flexible family functioning and mental health: Examining gender differences and the mediation effects of positive family communication and self-compassion. The Family Journal, 26 (4), 422-432. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480718807411
Chen P. & Harris K.M. (2019). Association of positive family relationships with mental health trajectories from adolescence to midlife. JAMA Paediatrics, 173(12): e193336. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.3336
Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (2002). Effects of marital conflict on children: Recent advances and emerging themes in process-oriented research. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43(1), 31–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00003
Droogenbroeck, F., Spruyt, B., & Keppens, G. (2018). Gender differences in mental health problems among adolescents and the role of social support: Results from the Belgian health interview surveys 2008 and 2013. BMC Psychiatry, 18(6). 10.1186/s12888-018-1591-4.
Duru, E., & Balkis, M. (2018). Exposure to school violence at school and mental health of victimized adolescents: The mediation role of social support. Child Abuse & Neglect, 76, 342–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.11.016
Egunjobi, J. P., Gikandi, A. & Muriithi, J. (2021). Relationship between family flexibility and substance use disorders among the youth in selected rehabilitation centres in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 5(8), 138-142. 10.47772/IJRISS.2021.5809.
Hood, C. O., Thomson R. L., & Wills, N. (2020). Family factors and depressive symptoms among college students: Understanding the role of self-compassion. Journal of American College Health Journal of ACH, 68(7), 683–687. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1596920
Jackson, E. P., Dunham, R. M., & Kidwell, J. S. (1990). The Effects of Gender and of Family Cohesion and Adaptability on Identity Status. Journal of Adolescent Research, 5(2), 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/074355489052004
Khasakhala, L. I., Ndetei, D. M., Mathai, M., & Harder, V. (2013). Major depressive disorder in a Kenyan youth sample: Relationship with parenting behaviour and parental psychiatric disorders. Annals of General Psychiatry, 12(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-12-15
Khasakhala, L. I., Ndetei, D. M., Mutiso, V., Mbwayo, A. W., & Mathai, M. (2012). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents in Nairobi public secondary schools: association with perceived maladaptive parental behaviour. African Journal of Psychiatry, 15(2), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajpsy.v15i2.14
Kiarie-Makara, M. & Ndegwa, J. (2020). Factors related to depression among University Students in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 7(2), 35-41. 10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V7I2P106.
Kim, C.S., Park, Y., Ho, B., & Wu, I. (2017). Family conflict, Asian cultural values, perceived parental control, and affectionate care among Asian American College Students. Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling, 7(2), 123-140. 10.18401/2017.7.2.2.
Kugbey, N., Osei-Boadi, S. & Atefoe, E.A. (2016). The influence of social support on the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among students in Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(25): 135-140. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1078530.pdf
Mastrotheodoros, S., Canário, C., Gugliandolo, M. C., Merkas, M., & Keijsers, L. (2020). Family functioning and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems: Disentangling between-, and within-family associations. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 49(4), 804–817. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01094-z
Menecha, J., & Muriungi, S. (2020). Comorbidity of depression and anxiety among students at the Kenya Medical Training Colleges in Kenya. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(8), 360–370. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.78.7044
Ministry of Education. (2018). University Education and Research. Retrieved from https://www.education.go.ke
Mugambi, P., Munene, A., & Mogute, M. (2020). Psychosocial risk factors for suicidal behaviour among adolescents in informal settlements of Nairobi County, Kenya. Africa Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 7(1), 138-152. http://www.arjess.org
Nebhinani, N & Jain, S. (2019). Adolescent mental health: Issues, challenges, and solutions. Annals of Indian Psychiatry, 3 (1) 4. DOI: 10.4103/aip.aip_24_19
OECD (2011). Families are changing. Doing better for families. https://www.oecd.org/els/soc/47701118.pdf
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. The Journal of Family Therapy. www.lifeinnovations.com
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Depression and anxiety symptoms, social support, and demographic factors among Kenyan high school students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(5), 1432–1443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01646-8
Othieno, C., Okoth, R., Peltzer, K., Pengpid, S & Malla, L. (2014). Depression among university students in Kenya: Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates. Journal of Affective Disorders. 165, 120–125. https://10.1016/j.jad.2014.04.070
Pan, Y., Yang, Z., Han, X., & Qi, S. (2021). Family functioning and mental health among secondary vocational students during the COVID-19 epidemic: A moderated mediation model. Personality and Individual Differences, 171, Article 110490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110490
Pengpid, S. & Peltzer, K. (2020). Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among a national sample of in-school adolescents in Bhutan. Preprints, doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0710.v1.
Pössel, P., Burton, S. M., Cauley, B., Sawyer, M. G., Spence, S. H., & Sheffield, J. (2018). Associations between social support from family, friends, and teachers and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Journal of youth and adolescence, 47(2), 398–412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0712-6
Rada, C. (2014). Family adaptability and cohesiveness evaluation scale III in Romania. Procedia, 127, 31-35. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.207
Rawatlal, N, Kliewer,W & Pillay, B. (2015). Adolescent attachment, family functioning and depressive symptoms. South African Journal of Psychiatry. 21(3) 80-85. DOI:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v21i3.672
Ren Z, Zhou G, Wang Q, Xiong W, Ma J, He M,…Zhang, X. (2019). Associations of family relationships and negative life events with depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 14(7), e0219939. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219939
Rodriguez, E.M., Donenberg, G.R., Emerson,E., Wilson, H.W., Brown,L.K, & Houck, C. (2014). Family environment, coping, and mental health in adolescents attending therapeutic day schools, Journal of Adolescence, 37(7), 1133-1142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.07.012
United Nations Children’s Fund (2020). Adolescents Mental Health Matters Report. https://www.unicef.org/media/82926/file/Adolescent-Mental-Health-Matters-Report-Final-July2020.pdf
United Nations Children’s Fund (2021). The measurement of mental health problems among adolescents and young adults throughout the world. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(2021)361-362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.06.009
Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An introductory analysis, (2nd Ed). New York: Harper and Row
Zhang, M., Zhang, J., Zhang, F., Zhang, L., & Feng, D. (2018). Prevalence of psychological distress and the effects of resilience and perceived social support among Chinese college students: Does gender make a difference? Psychiatry Research, 267, 409-413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.038
Published
2024-11-23
How to Cite
Ndungi, E. M., & Ndirangu, S. (2024). RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY COHESION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG THE YOUTH IN MIDDLE-LEVEL COLLEGES WITHIN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 6(21), 1 - 18. Retrieved from https://ajoeijournals.org/sys/index.php/ajoei/article/view/724
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