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Adolescent depression: important facts that matter
L M Pullen1, M A Modrcin-McCarthy, E V Graf
1College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA. lpullen@utk.edu
Purpose:
To determine if there are differences in adolescent depression using variables of age, gender, smoking, and alcohol use.
Methods:
A comparative, descriptive survey design was used. The adolescents (N = 217) completed either the Beck Depression Inventory or the Children's Depression Inventory and a demographic questionnaire.
Findings:
The 15- to 16-year-olds (p = .016), females (p = .003), and smokers (p = .001) scored significantly higher than the 12- to 14-year-olds on depression. The 15- to 16-year-olds who used alcohol were found to be twice as depressed as the nonusers (p = .002). No significant differences were found in the 17- to 19-year-old age group.
Conclusions:
This study confirmed depression increased with age, in females, and with smokers. Nurses are in a unique position to provide interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the likelihood of depression and alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescents.