Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and for many young people it is also a time when mental health difficulties first appear. Yet adolescent mental health is under-researched in low- and middle-income countries, especially in West Africa, and research that separates genetic from environmental influences is rarer still.
Our project, “Mechanisms underlying development of adolescent anxiety and depression in Low- and Middle-Income Populations”, set out to help close that gap.
Who took part
We collected information from adolescent twins attending secondary schools in two towns in south-west Nigeria: Ile-Ife and Ilesa. In total, 450 pairs of twins took part and shared information about their mental health and social circumstances. We are grateful to every young person and family who contributed.
What we looked at
The project focused on symptoms of anxiety and depression and on suicidal thoughts, and on their link with food scarcity, which we used as a measure of socioeconomic strain. We asked two main questions:
- How are mental health symptoms linked to food scarcity?
- How much do genetic and environmental influences contribute to differences in these symptoms, and to their link with food scarcity?
Why it matters
Understanding what influences adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries can point to better targets for future research and for interventions. Looking at food scarcity helps us see how hardship in everyday life may relate to how young people feel.
Partners
This work was led by Dr. Olakunle Oginni in collaboration with King’s College London.
A note on support: if you or someone you know is struggling, please speak to a doctor, counsellor or trusted adult.
