Depressive Symptomatology among Adolescents in Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps in Borno State, Nigeria: Effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behaviour and Client-Centred Therapies

Depressive symptomatology (DS) is the presence of depressive symptoms in individuals whose presentation has not met diagnostic criteria for any depression but is associated with many unfavourable socioeconomicconsequences. This study investigated the effects of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Client-Centred Therapy (CCT) on DS among adolescents in IDP camps in Borno State. The moderating effects of gender and health self-efficacy (HSE) were also examined. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design with a 3×2×3 factorial matrix. Ninety adolescents participated in the study. The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology for Adolescents and the HSE Scale were used. The data were analysed via ANCOVA. The results were considered significant at the p < 0.05 level. The participants’ average age was 14.04 ± 4.46 years; 51% were female, and 49% were male. There were significant main effects of treatments (REBT and CCT) on the reduction in DS. REBT was found to be more effective than CCT. The moderating effects of gender and the HSE were significant. It was concluded that REBT and CCT were effective in reducing DS. Counselling psychologists should incorporate both therapies in the treatment of DSs among adolescents in IDPs’ camps with due consideration to sex and the HSE, given priority to REBT.