Caregivers’ Coping Strategies for Adolescents’ Behavioural Problems in Oke-Ose Community, Kwara-State, Nigeria

Behavioural problems in adolescents are a leading cause of health-related burden, accounting for 15–30% of the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost during the first three decades of life. However, there is limited data on how caregivers would cope if their adolescent develop these problems. This study was thus conducted to determine caregivers’ response as well as coping strategies preference in case of adolescent(s) with behavioural problem. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using a cluster sampling technique. Coping strategies preference was assessed using the Brief Cope Inventory. A 2-way dimensional compacted categorization was used to categorize the 28-item coping strategies of Brief Cope Inventory to emotional-based strategies (EBS) and problem-based strategies (PBS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and multivariate linear regression model at p<0.05. 52% of the caregivers were aged 30 – 40 years while the mean age of adolescents was 14.8±2.3 years. The preferred response reported include corporal punishment (44%). The most preferred coping strategies caregivers would employ were active coping (69%) and planning (67%). Linear regression revealed caregiver’s gender, level of education and adolescent’s age were statistically associated with choice of coping strategy. This study revealed that caregivers will likely employ healthy coping strategies should they encounter behavioural problem in their adolescent. Public health interventions targeting caregivers’ attitude regarding the cause and effective coping behaviours for adolescent mental health problems need to be designed and evaluated for their effectiveness in low-income settings.