Abstract
M.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing)
In this research an attempt was made to identify manifestations of depression in black children and give mental health education to their mothers in an attempt to alleviate the state of depression in the children. A questionnaire was structured as a tool for collection
data. The instrument was based on a standardized depression scale which was used cross-culturally by the World Health Organization during 1983. The non-probability sampling procedure was carried out utilising a purposive sampling method in compiling an
experimental and a control group of mothers of depressed children in a quasi-experimental research design. A mental health education programme on depession was developed which was given to mothers in the experimental group. The individual method of teaching was utilised based on adult education principles. At the end of the mental health education session, each mother got a brochure in the language preferred by the mother. Mothers from the control group did not have any discussions on depression. The study was done over the period of three months from 6 August 1988 to 26 October 1988.
The analysis of gathered data was computerised using the Mann-Whitney U-test of SPSSX for the independent group and the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test for the dependent groups. The non-parametric statistics of the Z-va1ue and two-tailed probability was utilised. The findings on the comparison. between the experimental
group pretest and the control group pretest revealed that there were not any statistical difference in eight of the ten variables of depression i.e. helplessness, anxiety, sleep disturbance, school problems, interpersonal relations, self concept, guilt feelings and the disturbance of perception. The other two variables, suicide and physical functioning, were not included because they showed significant statistical difference prior to experimentation. There was no significant statistical difference between the eight variables of the state of depression in the findings of the control group pretest with the control group post test. That means that if mothers of depressed children do not receive mental health education, the children's state of depression could remain the same.
In conclusion, mental health education to mothers of depressed children seems to have a positive effect on a child's emotional stability. It can contribute substantially to diminishing the occurance of childhood depression.