Original article
Assessing the Association Between Depression and Savings for Kenyan Youth Using a Validated Child Depression Inventory Measure

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.002Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

The Child Depression Inventory (CDI) is a commonly used measure of depression among youth and has been used in studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrating positive effects of financial asset-building interventions on physical and mental health outcomes. However, before we can be certain that asset building does indeed improve mental health functioning, we must first be sure that the instruments used to measure mental health in this population are valid and culturally appropriate.

Methods

This two-part study used baseline data from a sample of youth (N = 1,348, 13–18 years) participating in the YouthSave-Impact Study Kenya to clarify the psychometric properties of the 10-item CDI (study A), and then used the 10-item CDI to assess the relationship between financial assets and mental health functioning among this sample of adolescents (study B).

Results

Factor analysis on the 10-item CDI indicated a one-factor eight-item measure with excellent model fit. Invariance testing indicated that the measure performed differently for male and female respondents. Finally, using the latent structure as the dependent variable, the second part of the analysis established that cash savings were associated with depression. Female and male adolescents with savings reported lower depression (female β = −.17, p ≤ .003; male β = −.12, p ≤ .020) than other youth.

Conclusion

This study identified a reasonable one-factor eight-item depression measure that was noninvariant across gender. This validated measure was used to confirm the association between financial assets and mental health outcomes, hence, supporting the hypothesis that financial assets are associated with mental health outcomes.

Section snippets

The Association of Financial Assets on CDI Scores

In recent years, the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) has become a common measure used in community samples participating in asset-building interventions. Both 27- and 10-item versions of the CDI have been used to measure depression in asset-building focused studies in SSA. For instance, using a composite score for the 10-item CDI, Ssewamala et al. [9] found a significant reduction in depression symptoms of youth (mean age 13.71 years) who received an economic empowerment intervention compared

Sample

This study analyzed data from a group of adolescents aged 13–18 years (n = 1,348). The sample is drawn from the YouthSave Kenya study, which focused on school-going youth (N = 3,965) ranging in age from 9 to 18 years. Using an experimental design, the YouthSave Kenya study measures the long-term impact of child and youth savings on developmental outcomes. Study measures capture household and individual saving practices, educational parameters, health and mental health outcomes, self-efficacy,

Demographics

Table 1 provides sample demographic information. At baseline, approximately 41% of this sample reported having cash savings with the majority saving at home, a piggy bank, and with parents. Savings ranged from KES 5 to 30,000 (USD: .05–291). The average saver held KES 509 (USD 4.9) in savings. The sample ages ranged from 13 to 18 years (M = 13.5, standard deviation = .75). The majority were in class 6 (equivalent to sixth grade). The sample was older than the average pupil enrolled in class 6

General Discussion

Using adolescent data from Kenya, this two-part study clarified the psychometric properties of the 10-item CDI and subsequently used the latent depression construct to assess the relationship between financial assets and mental health functioning. Back translations of the instrument and the use of bilingual interviewers assured instrument accuracy. Parallel analysis and CFA models confirmed a one-factor 8-item latent construct with good concurrent criterion validity. Studies in asset-building

Acknowledgments

The authors are immensely grateful to Dr. Natasha K. Bowen for the statistical guidance and support. The study builds on the findings from decade-long Suubi-Uganda youth economic empowerment programs led by Fred Ssewamala and YouthSave, a consortium project created in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation and led by Save the Children with the participation of the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, the New America Foundation, and CGAP (www.youthsave.org).

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  • Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

    Disclaimer: Publication of this article was supported by the International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) at Washington University in St. Louis; the Dean's Office, Columbia University School of Social Work; and the Dean's Office, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. The opinions or views expressed in this supplement are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the funders.

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