Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Caribbean Studies IA
Caribbean Studies IA
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Acknowledgement
Firstly, I wish to thank God, my parents and the respondents for their
assistance. I would also like to thank my teacher, Mrs. Halsted, without
whose guidance and support this would not have been a success.
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Statement of Problem
The causes, effects and possible solutions of depression on teenagers of the
Purpose of Research
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The purpose of this study on teenage Depression is to investigation and explains
the effects of Teenage Depression in the vibrant community of Claremont Heights. After
the completion of this research the researcher will recommended a few aims to
The researcher would like to impart knowledge to young individuals who believes
to be depressed. Also, to let them beware of the effects it can put on their lives.
things.
Research Questions
1. What are the causes Depression?
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2. How does depression affect persons at Mineral Heights?
development?
6. What are the effects of teenage depression and how do depressed persons cope with
these changes?
Introduction
Depression is defined by the website, Medicine.com as an illness that involves the
body, mood, and thoughts that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels
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about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same
Over the years it’s been shown and proven that teen depression has been a serious
worldwide issue. Causing the teenagers from our society to serious problems such as
hurting themselves (suicide) and others because of issues such as, school, family
topic”. Recently a study found that “About five percent of teenagers have major
depression at any one time. Depression can be very impairing, not only for the affected
teen, but also for his or her family-and too often, if not addressed, depression can lead to
substance abuse or more tragic events” (NAMI.org). Teen depression hasn’t only been
around now, it’s been around for a really long time and honestly, it will take a lot for it to
stop. The environment that teenagers grow up today is less caring and a lot more
demanding than it was 20 years ago from now. Not only are the numbers of depressed
teenagers increasing, but the age is decreasing, younger children are starting to face this
issue. Studies have found out that “There are an estimated 1.5-3 million American
children until about 20 years ago.” The reason why teen depression is increasing this
much is because of the social factors that these teenagers have to face everyday. Gender
also plays an important role on teen depression such as the pressure on girls to appear and
act a certain way. Pressure is also reaching high statistics with boys. Boys are faced with
pressure to hide their feeling and act tough and/or manly. Pressure has been building up
on both genders what with school work and succeeding at it. Teen depression is a
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growing problem that hasn’t been addressed enough, it’s an issue that needs to be dealt
contributing factor for most adolescent problems. The statistics about teenage runaways,
alcoholism, drug problems, pregnancy, eating disorders, and suicide are alarming. The
common link to all of these crises is often depression. The path into adolescence is a
difficult one, and the choices a teen makes can leave lasting scars on the lives of an entire
generation of young men and women. There is a growing realization that teenage
depression can be life changing, even life- threatening. Depression can be described in
many ways. Its main description is that it is a serious mental disorder in which a person
suffers long periods of sadness, loneliness, and other negative feelings. Medications
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problems.
Education Value
Teenage Depression can be defined as a serious condition that affects many young adults.
This research highlights the causes and effects of teenage depression. It can also educate
the wider society on the signs and symptoms of this depression so affected persons can be
helped and assisted to go through these changes and how to cope with it. The available
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solutions would help to prevent depression in teenagers or help them to get over their
depression.
Literature Review
According to the A-Z Family Medical Encyclopedia, by Dr. Michael Peters,
depression is the feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in life, combined
with a sense of reduced emotional well-being. Most people experience these feelings
depressed when a close relative or friend dies during which a person’s behaviour and
physical state are also affected. This however, is an indication of depressive illness.
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Depression that occurs without any immediate cause, which deepens and persists,
may occur as part of a variety of depression illnesses. These are conditions characterized
depression in adults. Some symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than
suffering from mild depression, the main symptoms are usually anxiety and variable
mood; the person may also have a fits of crying that occur for no apparent reason. More
severe depression may cause loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, loss of
interest social activities, and impaired concentration. Movement and thing also usually
become slower; alternatively, the opposite may also occur with the person becoming
extremely anxious. Severely depressed people may thoughts of committing suicide and
having feelings of hopelessness. Signs of depression include: not doing things that were
once enjoyable, feeling tired all the time, sleeping too much or not enough, eating little or
The cause of teen depression does not arise from a single origin or event. There is
following childbirth. Certain drugs, such as oral contraceptives, may also contribute the
condition.
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Scientists and researches have found out that depression is caused by an uneven
balance of chemicals in the brain. It is said that not having enough of the chemical called
Many rebellious and healthy behaviours or attitudes in the teenagers are actually
indication of depression. Untreated depression can lead to: low self-esteem, problems at
Medicinenet. Com, “The world health organization ranks depression as number four in
the ten leading causes of death worldwide. It is particularly common in people over fifty
and appears to more common in women: twice as many women than men week help for
the condition. This difference may result from the fact that women tend to seek help for
their problems while men tend to express their problems in alcohol abuse and violence.
Depression is an illness that can be treated with medication just like any other
illness such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Only a doctor can properly diagnose and
decide what is appropriate for a person suffering from depression. The most common
treatments are antidepressant medicines, psychotherapy, the patient and the therapist
discuss the patient’s feelings and experiences to try to work out the difficult areas. There
are three main forms of treatment for depression, depending on the type and severity of
the illness. Medication is commonly used to treat teenage depression, though their long
term effects are not well studied. The most common type of medication prescribed for
teens is the SSRI fluoxide, commonly know as Prozac. Antidepressant drugs however do
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have some effects some side effects sometimes including suicidal behaiour, so it is
important for friends and family members to watch for the warning signs of suicide in
teen taking antidepressants. These signs include talking about their death or committing
for depression. This method is infrequently used but is still considered to be an effective
treatment for people suffering from life- threatening depression. ECT may be life saving,
One important thing that family members and friends can do for those who suffer
from depression is to help them get the right treatment and to encourage them to continue
taking their medication until they feel better. Families can offer emotional support by
showing them love and using kind words, help them to keep active and busy, not to
criticize or blame them for their behaviour and also to be patient and not expect
immediate result.
quality and adequate data which will make the research credible in the information it
gathered.
The researcher uses both primary and secondary sources in order to complete this
research successfully.
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The primary source which is a questionnaire can be seen as the easiest way to
The secondary sources which the research utilizes are the internet, books and news
paper articles. All these sources provide valuable existing information that can be
seen as reliable for the researcher to use to complete this Internal Assessment (IA).
community. This questionnaire consisted of both open and close-ended questions. After
I decided to choose the households where children lived. Reason been I want to
get a feedback on their views on Teenage Depression. The numbers of those houses in the
community were written each on a slip of paper. Each slip of paper was folded and
placed into a bag. The bag was closed and shaken vigorously to ensure a thorough
Presentation of Data
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Graph Showing the Ages of the Responents
45%
40%
35%
30%
% of respondents
25%
20%
15%
10% 15-20
21-30
5%
31-40
0% 41 and
15-20 21-30 Ages 31-40 41 and over over
Cylinder Chart Showing the age group of these respondents who participate in this study.
40% of the residents are between the ages 15-20 years old, while 25% are between ages
21-30 years. Also, 15% of them are between 31-40 years old and the remaining 10% are
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Pie Chart SHOWING the Gender of
Respondents
20%
80%
Female
Male
The Pie Chart above shows the gender of the respondents which indicates that 80% of
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Chart Showing Persons Affected by Teenage
Depression
10%
Affected
Not affected
90%
Fig 3: Pie Chart
The Pie Chart shows response to question three (3) have teenage Depression affected the
residents of Mineral Heights of which 90% says that it does affects them while 10% says
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Graph Showing Causes of Depression
Other
Through death
Causes
fatherlessness
Fatigue
Fatigue
fatherlessness
Other
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Percentages
Cone Chart shows a response to question four (4) what causes Teenage Depression? Of
which 40% says that the absence of father in their lives is the major cause of Teenage
Depression and also 25% selected that the feeling of been fatigued or due to lack of
energy while 20% stated that thought of death is the cause for Teenage Depression.
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40%
Graph Showing the Signs and Symptoms of
35%
Depression
30%
25%
Percentages
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Sadness Anger No interest Withdrawal
Signs Withdra
wal
The Line-Column Chart above represents the signs and symptoms of depression of
which majority of them 35% indicated that they had no interest anymore while 30%
indicates the feeling of sadness, 20% stated anger and the remaining 15% stated that they
The table above stated that 60% of the respondents stated that Counseling was the
treatment used to treat affected persons while 33% stated Medication and the remaining
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Graph Showing Respondents Whose Adolescent
Decision-making was Affected
40%
35%
30%
% of Respondents
25%
20%
15%
10% Other
5% Suicidal
0% Dishonest
Moodiness Dishonest Suicidal Other Moodiness
Affected Decision-making
Fig 6: Column Chart
The Column Chart shows that adolescent decision-making is affected by them becoming
moody was selected by 40% of the respondents while 25% selected dishonesty, 8%
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Pie Chart Showing Persons Wanting to
Commit Suicide
15%
Yes
No
85%
The Pie Explosion Chart above indicates ‘persons wanting to commit suicide,” while
85% of them reached the stage of wanting to commit suicide while 15% stated no.
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Chart Title
Aware
20%
Not aware
80%
The Pie Chart shows above represent question 14 which stated that if they are depressed
eventually they are diagnosed with manic depressive illness which 80% stated that they
where not aware of that while 20% said they where aware.
Interpretation of Findings
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The main objective of the researcher was to solve the hypothesis, “Teenage Depression
Question 1 shows answers to the question “To what age group do you belong?”
Fifty percent (50%) of the respondents who belong to the age grouping 15-20, Twenty-
five percent (25%) in the group 21-30, fifteen (15%) in the group 31-40 and ten percent
Question 2 shows the sex of respondents, Eighty percent (80%) of the respondents
to which the questionnaires were distributed were females, while the remaining Twenty
percent (20%) were males. It can be seen that Depression is becoming nowadays a major
cause of disability in women. It is difficult for parents to see their children in depression.
In depression, it is common for girls to become moody, edgy, and anxious just before and
during menstruation, and maybe even longer, if she suffers from hormonal problems.
According to the Pie Chart when asked whether they has been affected by teenage
depression, Ninety percent (90%) of the respondents responded yes, while ten percent
(10%) stated no. They were depressed because they feel different are find them self’s
doing weird things that they never normally never use to do, that’s when they knew they
were depressed.
respondents indicated that the absence of fathers in their lives as it related to the question
“What were the causes of depression?” Thirty percent (25%) stated that feeling of been
fatigued or due to lack of energy. Twenty-five percent (20%) thought of death while ten
percent (15%) stated other suggestions. “How did they know they were depressed?”
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Teens may drop out from clubs, sports and other activity they normally used to enjoy.
Question 6 Quoted, counseling stated by sixty percent (60%) deals with practical
percent (33%) selected medications, and these include sleeping pills to regain energy.
Counseling is very effective and helpful, because they might not even be aware of the
problem or condition there are suffering from. Student counselors often explain and build
awareness among teens regarding the various problems they could be facing or could
Also, person who are depressed eventually they are diagnosed with manic
depressive illness which 80% stated that they where not aware of that while 20% said
they where aware. The term manic depressive illness is a psychiatric diagnosis that
describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes
Discussion of Findings
While gathering information the researcher found out that:
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In the community of Mineral Heights, that ninety percent (90%) of the citizens is
affected by teenage depression. It was also found out that major causes of teenage
depression in the vicinity were absence of father figures as well as fatigue. Also stated in
the literature review by Dr. Michael Peters in the family A-Z Encyclopedia that
It was stated by the majority of persons in the vicinity that they were not aware of
the fact that patients suffering from depression are eventually diagnosed as having manic
depressive illness. This was also stated by Dr. Peters that this is a condition characterized
It was stated that counseling is the most effective method used for treating
trained psychologist who can help you change the relationships, thoughts, or behaviors
that are causing the depression. Think about it, you feel depressed because you think your
life is bad. What if you're wrong? What if you're missing all the good things around you?
What if your future holds a lot more promise than you think? When you're depressed,
Conclusion
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In conclusion, the researcher believes that although teenagers are an easy target
for depression, the remaining teenagers who are healthy experience a better lifestyle than
those who aren’t. The percentage of teenagers who aren’t depressed is because of absence
of fathers in their lives, fatigued or due to lack of energy and thought of death. In my
opinion, Teen depression is something that has grown severely in this generation but I
feel like it’s something that can be dealt with and can be fixed; But that’s if people start
taking it more seriously and giving it more importance, But on the other hand, I feel as if
every teenager has to go through teen depression in order to experience how it is on the
real world and face reality; to know that life isn’t always going to be all about joy and
happiness, it’s going to have it’s rough moments & you’re going to need to learn how to
phase. Teen Depression is an issue all around the world, but yet; it can be fixed.
Due to the late start of my Internal Assessment I had less time to compile enough
I had problems with the computer System which keeps switching off when I on log
on.
generalized.
Lack of finance to purchase Inks, folder and necessary equipment to complete this
project.
Recommendations
In order to solve this problem the researcher has recommended a few points:
Invite social workers from a counseling team to come and talk to these depressed
individuals and let them know what is the main cause and what they can do in
to feel loved by them and they should take them out on field trips, teach them new
Bibliography
www.Google .com
www.Yahoo .com
www.Medicinenet .com
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Instrument used to Collect
Data
In order to acquire both qualitative and quantitative information for the Internal
Assessment being done the researcher used both questionnaire and published literature as
the methods of this investigation. The questionnaire is a set of questions that can be open-
questions. In case persons where not at home the questionnaires were placed in their mail
box or gate with a letter stating what it was about and when completer it should be
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The questionnaire was used because it was first handed, primary base,
information. However the published literature was used as the secondary source of
Residents Questionnaire
Most of the questions can be answered with a tick in the box like this or by
writing on the line provided.
Male [ ]
Female [ ]
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3. Have you ever been affected by teenage depression?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Medication [ ]
Counseling [ ]
Other [ ]
8. Would you agree that teenage depression is caused by them undergoing too much
street?
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Strongly agree [ ]
Agree [ ]
Disagree [ ]
9. Do you think parents or other family members contribute to the cause of depression?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
11. How often do depressed individuals visit a doctor after being diagnosed with the
condition?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
12. How affordable are the treatments prescribed for depressed individuals?
Very affordable [ ]
Just affordable [ ]
Barely affordable [ ]
14. Are you aware that most people who suffer from depression are eventually diagnosed
with manic-depressive illness?
Yes, I am aware [ ]
No, I was not aware [ ]
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They create new bonds with peers [ ]
They begin to express their feelings better [ ]
They become more interested in there work [ ]
Other [ ]
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