Depression in Kenyan professional women.
This was a pilot study to document scores on a general measure of mental health, and to establish the relationship between perceived stress and social support, in Kenyan professional women. Subjects were identified through registered professional bodies, and were asked to self-administer several measures: the General Health Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Network Orientation Scale, and the Social Support Appraisal. Eighty-six out of 120 (71%) subjects responded, of which 22% reported depressive symptoms and 30% indicated that they were coping less well than usual. Increased perceived stress was significantly associated with lower network orientation and lower perceived social support. Further investigation is required in order to draw definitive conclusions. However, these data are of potential utility to Kenyan (and possibly other) professional organizations that intend to put in place systems for the promotion of women's mental health.
Njenga
F
F
Kenya Institute of Stress Management, Nairobi. fnjenga@africaonline.co.ke
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women