Mapping the psychosocial network of Kenyan adolescents
The pivotal role of loneliness and gender-specific pathways
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22091251 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fei-Rui Ni (Wenzhou City People's Hospital), Zhenxing Huang (0000-0002-2764-2674, Wenzhou City People's Hospital), Zhen-Xing Huang, Yun Chen (0000-0001-5123-1624, Wenzhou City People's Hospital, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1642144-1642144 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1642144 |
| PMID | 41246073 |
| OpenAlex | W4415684481 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Background Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a critical yet understudied determinant of adolescent mental health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While its prevalence and impact have been well-documented in Western contexts, little is known about its role within the psychosocial networks of youth in many African contexts, where social structures and gender norms may diverge sharply. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional network analysis using data from 1,445 Kenyan secondary school students. Participants completed validated self-report measures of depression, anxiety, loneliness, social support, optimism, happiness, gratitude, and key demographic variables. Mixed graphical models were employed to examine the global structure and centrality of variables within the adolescent psychosocial network. Gender-stratified analyses and network comparison tests were used to identify sex-specific differences in network architecture and key pathways. Results Loneliness emerged as the most central psychological variable, directly bridging depressive symptoms, diminished wellbeing, and social support. Gender-stratified networks revealed notable divergences: the positive association between depression and loneliness was significant for girls (edge weight = 0.15) but was not significant appeared in the male network (a statistically significant difference, p = 0.040), while peer support more strongly buffered loneliness for boys. Furthermore, family support was more central for girls, whereas support from friends was more central for boys. Conclusions These findings highlight loneliness as a pivotal and gender-contingent node within adolescent psychosocial networks in Kenya. Network-based approaches reveal unique pathways of distress and resilience, underscoring the need for contextually and gender-sensitive interventions
Biopsychosocial model · Distress · Kenya · Loneliness · Psychological distress · Psychosocial · Social support · Health disparities and outcomes · Mental Health Research Topics · Resilience and Mental Health
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Gender difference in the change of adolescents’ mental health and subjective wellbeing trajectories
Effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention on psychological distress among women with a history of gender-based violence in urban Kenya
Loneliness Across the Life Span
Gender Differences in Loneliness across the Lifespan
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Loneliness is associated with the subjective evaluation of but not daily dynamics in partner relationships
Worldwide increases in adolescent loneliness
Social Support and Family Functioning during Adolescence
A review of sex differences in peer relationship processes
Depression and Loneliness among the Elderly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Loneliness in Kenyan adolescents
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |