The Relative Role of Family Affluence and Social Support on Depression and Selfesteem among Adolescents in Nigeria: a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the relative importance of social support and family affluence in depression and self-esteem among ado- lescents in Calabar, Nigeria.

Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent students in Calabar, Nigeria. Using stratified random sampling, 332 students were selected for participation. The Family Affluence Scale (FAS), Oslo Social Support Scale (OSS), Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory (RSES) were administered. To facilitate comparisons, the sample was divided into four groups: those with low OSS and low FAS scores, those with low OSS and high FAS scores, those with high OSS and low FAS scores, and those with high scores in both OSS and FAS. Groups were com- pared using the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of depression and self-esteem. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 21.

Results. Respondents with low levels of social support, irrespective of family affluence, had significantly higher depression scores and significantly lower self-esteem scores (P< 0.05). In linear regression analyses, social support (95%CI [-1.35,-0.58]) and female gender (95%CI [1.49,5.29]) emerged as predic- tors of depression, while social support (95%CI [0.25,0.64]) and age (95%CI [-0.79,-0.11]) emerged as predictors of self-esteem. Affluence did not predict depression or self-esteem.

Conclusions. Social support is of greater relative importance in depression and self-esteem in our study. In developing nations with lean resources, enhanced social support might buffer against the effect of low socio-economic status on mental health.