Influence of Depressive Disorder on Academic Achievement in Schools

Globally, research indicates that the prevalence of adolescence depressive disorder is increasing, the onset of depressive disorder is occurring earlier in life, and that depressive disorder coexists with other mental health problems. A study conducted by ministry of education (MEO) strategic plan on teachers and students' perception on factors contributing to poor academic achievement in secondary school students in Nyanza Province in Kenya, listed depression as one of the factors .The study indicated that Kisii is one of the districts with poor performance. This was confirmed by the K.C.S.E. results for the last four years (2011-2014). This study aimed at investigating the influence of levels of depressive disorder on academic achievement. The objectives of this research were to; establish the effects of levels of depressive disorder on academic achievement in public secondary schools; determine whether age at the onset of depressive disorder affects academic achievement in public secondary schools; investigate the effects of depressive disorder on the academic achievement of learners with regards to gender in public schools.