The psychosocial management of adolescent learners' depression in the Amuwo Odifin district

Abstract

The study focused on the psychosocial management of adolescent learners" depression in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos state, Nigeria. In order to obtain in-depth understanding of the psychosocial management of adolescent learner"s depression, a case study was carried out in two secondary schools where the researcher interviewed learners, teachers and parents. The main aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of adolescent learners on depression and the psychosocial management within secondary school settings. To achieve the objective of the study, a qualitative research approach and a case study research design was used. Data was collected from 24 purposefully selected participants from two schools, including parents through in-depth interview and observation. Data were analysed using Creswell"s 8 steps of data analysis; concepts, categories and themes were generated from the participants" actual responses. The research findings were presented in a narrative form for better understanding as well as maintaining proper ethics. Findings revealed that participants view adolescent learners" depression as a state of hopelessness, helplessness, feeling of withdrawal, emotional state and others. Among the management approaches, counselling, maintaining good teacher and learner behaviour emerged at the forefront. Furthermore, the findings also revealed poor management of adolescent learners" depression among schools as the sites have neither counsellors nor counselling units. Recommendations regarding psychosocial management of adolescent learner"s depression were made for enhancement of adolescent psychosocial wellbeing in order to curtail the rise in adolescent learner depression.