Psychosocial Factors Associated with Depression among Secondary School Students in Ile- Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Background of the Study: The relationship between psychosocial factors is fundamental to understanding the rising prevalence of depressive symptoms among secondary school students globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, where adolescents navigate socioeconomic instability and restrictive cultural norms surrounding gender and emotional expression, studies examining the combined effects of psychosocial factors on adverse mental-health outcomes remain limited. Aim: This study assessed psychosocial factors associated with depression among secondary school students in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Method: This study utilised a cross-sectional research design and was conducted in Ile-Ife using a multistage sampling technique. A sample size of 401 was obtained using the Cochran formula. A list of schools was obtained from the Local Education Authority, and eight secondary schools were selected in Ile-Ife. Male and female students aged 14-19 years were selected from SS1 and SS2 using simple random sampling. Three research instruments were combined to produce the questionnaire for the study. Data were collected using a facilitated self-administered technique and analysed using univariate analysis (frequency tables and charts) and bivariate analysis (chi-square test), with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The study found that about one-quarter of respondents had depressive symptoms: 18.0% were moderately depressed, 5.7% had moderately severe depression, and 0.5% had severe depression. The study also found that 166 respondents (41.4%) had experienced high early life adversity, 43 respondents (10.7%) were gender nonconforming in childhood, and 73 respondents (18.2%) were sexual minorities. Early life adversity was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Secondary school-aged adolescents are a vulnerable population with specific mental health needs related to childhood experiences and gender-identification issues. Public health and social policies for the prevention of child abuse should be strengthened at the federal and state levels.