Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude
IntroductionAdolescent mental health is a global concern. While social support is a known protective factor, the mechanisms through which it impacts mental health, particularly in diverse settings like Kenya, require further exploration. This study aimed to investigate how perceived control and grat...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1626249/full |
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| author | Ming Zhao Heng Miao Li-Li Zhu Xiao-Han Zhang Li-Wei Zang |
| author_facet | Ming Zhao Heng Miao Li-Li Zhu Xiao-Han Zhang Li-Wei Zang |
| author_sort | Ming Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAdolescent mental health is a global concern. While social support is a known protective factor, the mechanisms through which it impacts mental health, particularly in diverse settings like Kenya, require further exploration. This study aimed to investigate how perceived control and gratitude mediate the relationship between social support and mental health (symptoms of depression and anxiety) among Kenyan adolescents.MethodsA sample of 1,674 adolescents (aged 13–18) from four secondary schools completed validated measures of social support (MSPSS), perceived control (PCS), gratitude (GQ-6), depression (PHQ-8), and anxiety (GAD-7). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, controlling for age and gender.ResultsSocial support was directly associated with lower levels of depression (β = −023) and anxiety (β = −023). Social support also positively predicted perceived control (β = 026) and gratitude (β = 049), both of which were, in turn, linked to lower depression and anxiety. Crucially, significant indirect effects were found, demonstrating that social support reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety through the parallel mediating pathways of both perceived control (depression: β = −005; anxiety: β = −004) and gratitude (depression: β = −008; anxiety: β = −006).DiscussionThe findings highlight that perceived control and gratitude are crucial mechanisms through which social support benefits adolescent mental health in Kenya. These psychological resources function as parallel pathways linking social connections to well-being. Interventions should therefore be designed not only to bolster social support systems but also to concurrently cultivate adolescents' sense of personal control and gratitude. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-819cedc529dc4ee9a42fe6e4b9b2e613 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2360 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-819cedc529dc4ee9a42fe6e4b9b2e6132025-08-22T04:10:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-08-011310.3389/fped.2025.16262491626249Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitudeMing Zhao0Heng Miao1Li-Li Zhu2Xiao-Han Zhang3Li-Wei Zang4Department of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Wenzhou, ChinaSchool of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaCareer Education Research Center, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, ChinaRenji College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Wenzhou, ChinaIntroductionAdolescent mental health is a global concern. While social support is a known protective factor, the mechanisms through which it impacts mental health, particularly in diverse settings like Kenya, require further exploration. This study aimed to investigate how perceived control and gratitude mediate the relationship between social support and mental health (symptoms of depression and anxiety) among Kenyan adolescents.MethodsA sample of 1,674 adolescents (aged 13–18) from four secondary schools completed validated measures of social support (MSPSS), perceived control (PCS), gratitude (GQ-6), depression (PHQ-8), and anxiety (GAD-7). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, controlling for age and gender.ResultsSocial support was directly associated with lower levels of depression (β = −023) and anxiety (β = −023). Social support also positively predicted perceived control (β = 026) and gratitude (β = 049), both of which were, in turn, linked to lower depression and anxiety. Crucially, significant indirect effects were found, demonstrating that social support reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety through the parallel mediating pathways of both perceived control (depression: β = −005; anxiety: β = −004) and gratitude (depression: β = −008; anxiety: β = −006).DiscussionThe findings highlight that perceived control and gratitude are crucial mechanisms through which social support benefits adolescent mental health in Kenya. These psychological resources function as parallel pathways linking social connections to well-being. Interventions should therefore be designed not only to bolster social support systems but also to concurrently cultivate adolescents' sense of personal control and gratitude.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1626249/fullsocial supportadolescent mental healthperceived controlgratitudeKenyan adolescents |
| spellingShingle | Ming Zhao Heng Miao Li-Li Zhu Xiao-Han Zhang Li-Wei Zang Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude Frontiers in Pediatrics social support adolescent mental health perceived control gratitude Kenyan adolescents |
| title | Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude |
| title_full | Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude |
| title_fullStr | Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude |
| title_short | Social support and adolescent mental health in Kenya: a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude |
| title_sort | social support and adolescent mental health in kenya a parallel mediation analysis of perceived control and gratitude |
| topic | social support adolescent mental health perceived control gratitude Kenyan adolescents |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1626249/full |
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