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Social Support, Self-esteem And Religiosity As Predictors Of Depression Control Among Youths In Nigeria
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the Study
Depression
is one of the most widespread mental disorders among youths (Kiringlen,
Torgersen & Crammer, 2001) in Western society. Depression is an
affective, or mood disorder. It is an illness that immerses its
sufferers in a world of self-blame, confusion and hopelessness. It is an
illness of the mind. Some could argue that depression is a way of
coping with life’s pressures (Schwartz, 1993). In the past, depression
was not recognized to exist among youths. However, researchers studying
depression suggest that depression exist among youths (Loh, 2010).
Depression
in youths has been acknowledged as a problem (Nunley, 2001). Depressive
symptoms are often viewed as normal adolescents’ behavior or moodiness.
Adolescents with depressive symptoms have difficulty expressing how
they feel and may use other means of expression such as acting out which
often interpreted as misbehavior. Early psychoanalytic formulations
presumed that young adolescents did not have the psychological structure
(e.g. super ego functions) to truly experience depression, clinical and
empirical evidence revealed that adolescents do indeed suffer from both
depressive symptoms and depressive disorders. In fact, depression in
adolescent was overlooked rather than “masked†possibly because of
disruptive behaviors and co morbid disorders were more salient than were
depressive symptoms. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every
aspect of adolescents’ life. It can lead to drug abuse, self-loathing
and pregnancy, violence and even suicide. Depression can destroy the
very essence of adolescents’ personality causing an overwhelming sense
of sadness, despair or anger. Usually, adolescents rely on parents,
teachers, or caregivers to recognize his or her suffering and get him or
her treatment.
Depression in youths is increasing on an alarming
rate and statistics on adolescent depression are sobering. Studies have
indicated that depression in youths affects approximately 35-40% of the
adolescent’s population, most alarming among adolescents. One among five
may suffer from depression (Ruston, Forcier and Schectman, 2002). The
impact of depression is detrimental to the psychological well-being of
the people including adolescents, which will bring adverse effect to a
country’s progress.
Many factors influence youth’s depression. Among
such factors are academic work, stress, anxiety, self-esteem, parental
care, etc. However, this study focuses on three of this factors which
are social support, self-esteem and religiosity, (Rohner, 2007).
Finch
& Vega (2003) discussed that social support among youths involves
measures of social, emotional and spiritual support along with the peers
and family groups. Yeh & Inose (2003) social support is predictors
of depression control. Very often, social support systems play a great
part in validating individuals’ self- concept. When there is lack of
social support, it is very easy for the individuals to feel rejected as
they perceive selves as losers, failure or outcast. So they become
depressed and isolate self.
Youth’s depression may also have a link
to self-esteem. Self -esteem is the ability to be assured of one’s own
abilities, talents, worth, value as well as having personal acceptance,
approval and respect for one-self. Studies conducted in 1990s revealed
that depression and low self-esteem occur with disproportionately high
among adolescents (Orth, Robbins and Meier, 2009). Low self-esteem also
means the development of a poor or negative self-image. Such beliefs can
become a self-fulfilling prophecy of expecting to fail (Riddick, 1996).
Although most adolescents experience difficulty in developing positive
self-esteem, research indicate that adolescents who maintain positive
self-esteem report more positive affective states, greater wellness,
more life satisfaction, and fewer depressive symptoms (Dixon, 2005).
Therefore, if youth have high self-esteem, they may report lower levels
of depression.
The word religiosity is conceptualized as ritualistic
or liturgical practices, organized belief systems and doctrines, and
desire to relate to the sacred and divine (Kim & Esquivel, 2011).
Going by this notion, it could be concluded that Nigeria as a nation is a
religious nation since a greater percentage of its populace is attached
to one form of religion or the other which influence virtually all
aspects of their behaviors. Explaining perceived reasons why religion
may have a potent influence in curbing youths from undesirable social
vices, Rohrbaugh and Jessor (1975) explained that religion inculcates in
youths a sense and awareness of norms, moral order issues and standard
or appropriate behavior; establishes the individual in conservative
activities in a systematized sanctioning network; and proffers a creed
that is based on the nature of the deity as a source of punishment and
wrath.
Providing a better understanding of perceived social support,
self-esteem and religiosity will help in controlling depression among
youth in Nigeria, hence the focus of this study.
Religion is an
important part of people’s life. Often it gives an explanation as to why
certain events happen – good or bad. Religion can shape one’s view of
the world.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The study examined social support, self-esteem and religiosity as predictors of depression control among youths in Nigeria, a case study of babcock university, ilishan-remo, ogun stateThe study employed the survey design and the purposive sampling technique to select 450 students across all faculties. A well-constructed questionnaire, which was adjudged valid and reliable, was used for collection of data from the respondents. The data obtained through the administration of the questionnaires was ... Continue reading---
