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Adolescent fears as predictors of depression
1National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Intramural Research Program, Program on Mood and Anxiety Disorders, (DSP), Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1381, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|November 13, 2001
Abstract
Background:
Recent studies raise questions on the relationship between adolescent fears and risk for major depression.
Methods:
An epidemiologic sample of 776 young people received psychiatric assessments in 1983, 1985-1986, and 1992. Prospective associations were examined between fears in adolescence and future episodes of major depression.
Results:
Both overall level of fears and specific fear of dark in adolescence predicted future risk for major depression.
Conclusions:
Relatively high levels of fear in adolescence represent a risk factor for later episodes of major depression.