Related Experiment Videos
Consequences and correlates of adolescent depression
1Department of Health policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|October 4, 2002
Summary
High levels of depressive symptoms in adolescents are linked to significant negative outcomes. These include increased school absenteeism, smoking, binge drinking, and suicidal thoughts, even when accounting for other life challenges.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Depressive symptoms are a significant concern in adolescent populations.
- Understanding the factors associated with and consequences of adolescent depression is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlates and consequences of high levels of depressive symptoms in adolescents.
- To identify specific outcomes associated with elevated depressive symptoms in young people.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the 1997 Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent Girls.
- Utilized a nationally representative sample of 4648 adolescents (ages 10-18).
- Employed a self-administered questionnaire with a depression screening instrument based on the Children's Depression Inventory.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with high depressive symptoms missed approximately one additional school day per month.
- Higher odds of smoking (OR=1.84), binge drinking (OR=2.02), and suicidal ideation (OR=16.59) were observed.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for sociodemographics, life events, abuse, and violence exposure.
Conclusions:
- Elevated depressive symptoms in adolescents are associated with serious and significant negative consequences.
- These consequences persist even when accounting for challenging life circumstances.
- The findings underscore the importance of addressing adolescent mental health.