CORRELATES OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER AND EMOTION DYSREGULATION AMONG PARENTS OF PREGNANT TEENAGERS AT AIC IN WAMUNYU DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL, MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to measure correlates of major depressive disorder and emotion dysregulation among parents of pregnant teenagers at AIC in Wamunyu District Church Council, Machakos County, Kenya
Problem statement: There is growing interest in studying the role of emotion regulation in major depressive disorder. Earlier studies have found that depressed individuals exhibit impairments in their ability to use emotion regulation strategies effectively, and rather, they are prone to use ineffective strategies such as rumination to regulate emotions. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and emotion dysregulation are significant psychological concerns that affect individuals undergoing stressful life events, such as parenting a pregnant adolescent. In Kenya, the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy remains a pressing social and public health challenge, often placing emotional, financial, and psychological strain on families, particularly parents. While extensive research has been conducted on teenage pregnancy and its effects on adolescents, comparatively little attention has been paid to the psychological impact on parents, who are also deeply affected by the associated stigma, social rejection, and economic burdens.
Method/methodology: This study adopted a quasi-experimental design. The participants were selected and assigned by the researcher and not by randomization. The study population included parents of teenagers aged 10-19 years who got pregnant in Kenya. The target population in this study comprised all the parents of pregnant teenagers in Machakos County. A total sample size of 108 participants was used. Emotion Regulation Inventory (ERI) was used in collecting data at from the participants. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), regression models, and independent sample T test were used to show differences between the independent and dependent variables.
Results of the study: The analysis revealed that dysfunctional emotion regulation stood out as the most important correlate of major depressive disorder in this population. It further revealed that the selected independent variables did not significantly predict depression scores at baseline among the participants. In practical terms, although variables like emotion regulation dimensions and sociodemographic characteristics were considered, they did not provide a meaningful explanation for the variability in depressive symptoms at the start of the study period.
Conclusion and policy recommendation: The findings highlighted the critical role of emotional coping mechanisms in the mental health of parents dealing with the challenges of adolescent pregnancy and suggest a need for interventions that target maladaptive emotion regulation strategies to help reduce depression among affected individuals.
Key Words: Correlates, Emotional Dysregulation, Teenage Mothers
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