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Life Satisfaction Factors, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms among Young Women Living in Urban Kampala: Findings from the TOPOWA Project Pilot Studies

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel E. Culbreth

    (American College of Medical Toxicology, 10645 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85028, USA)

  • Karen E. Nielsen

    (School of Public Health, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA)

  • Kate Mobley

    (School of Data Science and Analytics, College of Computing and Software Engineering, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Jane Palmier

    (Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Paul Bukuluki

    (School of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda)

  • Monica H. Swahn

    (Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

Abstract

Young women living in Kampala, Uganda, often face adversities related to Social Determinants of Mental Health (SDoMH) including poverty, food scarcity, environmental stressors such as high levels of community violence, and lack of adequate healthcare access. Two consecutive pilot studies were conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of survey questions, wearable fitness trackers, and daily diaries before launching a larger prospective cohort study. Preliminary associations between SDoMH factors with depressive symptoms, stress levels, and life satisfaction were examined among the total sample of 60 women across two pilot studies. A total of 32.2% of respondents (out of n = 59) reported being depressed most or all of the time in the past 30 days. Frequent depressive symptoms correlated with food insecurity ( χ 2 = 5.38, df = 1, p = 0.02). Higher stress levels were significantly associated with lower overall life satisfaction scores ( t = 2.74, df = 6.20, p = 0.03). Additionally, frequent depressive symptoms were associated with lower satisfaction scores in the living conditions and lifestyle domain ( t = 2.22, df = 36.18, p = 0.03). However, overall life satisfaction scores and other domains (social relationships and personal independence) were not statistically associated with frequent depressive symptoms. Identifying the most impactful SDoMH factors among young women in Kampala can inform targeted approaches to improve mental health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel E. Culbreth & Karen E. Nielsen & Kate Mobley & Jane Palmier & Paul Bukuluki & Monica H. Swahn, 2024. "Life Satisfaction Factors, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms among Young Women Living in Urban Kampala: Findings from the TOPOWA Project Pilot Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:2:p:184-:d:1334337
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew W. Ridley & Gautam Rao & Frank Schilbach & Vikram H. Patel, 2020. "Poverty, Depression, and Anxiety: Causal Evidence and Mechanisms," NBER Working Papers 27157, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Colin D Mathers & Dejan Loncar, 2006. "Projections of Global Mortality and Burden of Disease from 2002 to 2030," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(11), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Srinagesh Mannekote Thippaiah & Muralidhara Shankarapura Nanjappa & Jayasudha G. Gude & Emanuel Voyiaziakis & Sohum Patwa & Badari Birur & Ananda Pandurangi, 2021. "Non-suicidal self-injury in developing countries: A review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(5), pages 472-482, August.
    4. Monica H. Swahn & Jacqueline Nassaka & Anna Nabulya & Jane Palmier & Seneca Vaught, 2022. "A Qualitative Assessment of Place and Mental Health: Perspectives of Young Women Ages 18–24 Living in the Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, October.
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