Abstract
BackgroundDepression in adolescents is a multifactorial global public health concern, with devastating consequences on the sufferer. The prevalence of depression amongst this age group is on the rise, and thus there is the need for greater attention.AimTo explore and describe the perceptions of mental health nurses regarding the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents in North West province, South Africa.SettingThe study was conducted in two mental healthcare institutions and two mental healthcare units within two general hospitals in North West province, South Africa.MethodA qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used in conducting this study. Data were collected through focus group discussions from four groups of mental health nurses from each of the mental healthcare institutions and mental healthcare units with 18 mental health nurses. Data were analysed using Tesch’s open coding method.ResultsTwo themes emerged from the study: comprehensive psychosocial management and involvement of different stakeholders.ConclusionThe findings revealed clear psychosocial management for depression in adolescents. Adopting the findings of this study could improve depressive symptoms and curtail the prevalence of depression amongst adolescents in the North West province, South Africa.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundDepression in adolescents is a multifactorial mental health problem that affects the life of the sufferer, families and the society, constituting a serious public health concern (Clow 2016:4)
This study focused on the exploration and description of perceptions of mental health nurses regarding the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents in North West province (NWP), South Africa, as it could facilitate the improvement of depressive symptoms amongst sufferers, curtail the prevalence of depression through provision of baseline information for mental healthcare practitioners, and stimulate further studies on this perspective
The findings revealed the need for psychosocial management of depression to encompass school health education, counselling, problem-solving, adolescent-friendly user services in facilities, peer education, using immediate environment of adolescents to foster recovery and role modelling
Summary
Depression in adolescents is a multifactorial mental health problem that affects the life of the sufferer, families and the society, constituting a serious public health concern (Clow 2016:4). Developmental changes in adolescents (emotional, physical and cognitive changes) predispose them to high psychopathological conditions such as depression (Babore et al 2016:982; Stikkelbroek et al 2016:2). Depression is amongst the major causes of disability burden amongst adolescents (Collishaw et al 2016:49). The World Health Organization (2017) maintains that depression is the third leading cause of disability amongst adolescents. Chukwuere, Pienaar and Sehularo (2020:125) state that stress related to academic activities is amongst the predisposing factors to depression in adolescents. Depression in adolescents is a multifactorial global public health concern, with devastating consequences on the sufferer. The prevalence of depression amongst this age group is on the rise, and there is the need for greater attention
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