AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF COMMON PSYCHO-SOCIAL PROBLEMS AMONG ADOLESCENT LEARNERS IN MALAWI

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate an effective method of managing common psycho-social problems among adolescent learners in Malawi. Sequential exploratory mixed methods design guided the study. First phase utilised a qualitative method, where 18 key informants were targeted. The second phase was a quantitative method and targeted 317 adolescent learners from two secondary schools. Key findings: Firstly, the study found that adolescent learners had psycho-social problems and prevalence was as follows: depression (87%); suicidal thoughts (26.4%); substance use (31.3%); positive attitudes towards mental health problems (26.4%) and knowledge of mental health problems (23.3%). Furthermore, being male was associated with depression, substance use, knowledge about mental health problems, positive attitudes towards mental health problems; being younger adolescent (10-15 years) was associated with depression, knowledge of mental health problems, positive attitudes towards mental health problems; being an adolescent from rural area was associated with suicidal thoughts before intervention. Secondly, the study observed psycho-social service deficiencies within the Malawian secondary schools. Thirdly, the combined psycho-education and group counselling intervention were able to reduce the prevalence of psycho-social problems among adolescents. Furthermore, some tested variables, such as attitudes toward mental health problems, knowledge of mental health problems, and substance use, were statistically significant. Changes in other tested variables, such as depression and suicidal thoughts, were not statistically significant. The study findings will help relevant stakeholders to be aware of the adolescent psycho-social challenges and consider strategies of managing them.