Table 3 Adolescent social support and mental health beliefs
Total | Ayami | Aromo | Agweng | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | |
Social support | ||||
I can ask adults for help when I need it | ||||
Often | 113 (36.93%) | 22 (30.56%) | 58 (41.13%) | 33 (35.48%) |
Sometimes | 115 (37.58%) | 36 (50%) | 43 (30.50%) | 36 (38.71%) |
Rarely | 60 (19.61%) | 13 (18.06%) | 25 (17.73%) | 22 (23.66%) |
Never | 18 (5.88%) | 1 (1.39%) | 15 (10.64%) | 2 (2.15%) |
I know where to go if I or someone I know is suffering from mental Illness | ||||
Yes | 184 (60%) | 35 (48.61%) | 72 (51.06%) | 77 (82.80%) |
No | 122 (40%) | 37 (51.39%) | 69 (48.94%) | 16 (17.20%) |
How many close friends do you have | ||||
0 | 7 (2.29%) | 2 (2.78%) | 5 (3.55%) | 0 (0.00%) |
1–2 | 83 (27.12%) | 15 (20.83%) | 42 (29.79%) | 26 (27.96%) |
3–4 | 109 (35.62%) | 29 (40.28%) | 51 (36.17%) | 29 (31.18%) |
> 5 | 107 (34.97%) | 26 (36.11%) | 43 (30.50%) | 38 (40.86%) |
Who do you usually talk to if you have worries or concerns | ||||
Mother | 230 (75.16%) | 61 (84.72%) | 105 (74.47%) | 64 (68.82%) |
Father | 46 (15.03%) | 10 (13.89%) | 16 (11.35%) | 20 (21.51%) |
Brother/sister | 8 (2.61%) | 0 (0.00%) | 3 (2.13%) | 5 (5.38%) |
Friends/peers | 8 (2.61%) | 0 (0.00%) | 7 (4.96%) | 1 (1.08%) |
Grandparent or other family member | 7 (2.28%) | 0 (0.00%) | 4 (2.84%) | 1 (1.08%) |
I do not have anyone to speak to | 7 (2.29%) | 6 (1.39%) | 1 (0.71%) | 0.00% |
Impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on social support | ||||
Experienced feelings of extreme Sadness/anxiousness | 113 (37%) | 18 (16.03%) | 67 (59.43%) | 27 (24.52%) |
Experienced social isolation (loss of contact with friends) | 183 (60%) | 28 (15.64%) | 93 (50.83%) | 61 (33.52%) |
Mental health beliefs | ||||
Mental health problems are caused by | ||||
Witchcraft | 89 (29.31%) | 6 (7.14%) | 48 (55%) | 35 (29.55%) |
God’s will | 43 (14.37%) | 4 (11.43%) | 3 (8.33%) | 36 (27.27%) |
Chemicals/hormone imbalances | 42 (13.79%) | 33 (25.71%) | 9 (10%) | 0 (0.00%) |
Traumatic experiences | 24 (8.05%) | 1 (4.29%) | 3 (6.67%) | 20 (15.91%) |
Family history | 35 (11.49%) | 5 (12.86%) | 2 (6.67%) | 5 (15.91%) |
Don’t know | 70 (22.99%) | 26 (38.57%) | 9 (13.33%) | 7 (11.36%) |