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Published on: February 22, 2018
Depressive symptoms: how do adolescents compare with adults?
Richard G Wight1, Joslan E Sepúlveda, Carol S Aneshensel
1Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California 90095-1772, USA. rwight@ucla.edu
Summary
Older adolescents report more depressive symptoms than adults, with similar persistence. Low income and minority status are key risk factors for depression in both groups.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Depression is a significant public health concern affecting various age groups.
- Understanding age-related differences in depressive symptoms is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence and persistence of depressive symptoms between U.S. adolescents and adults.
- To identify demographic correlates of depressive symptoms across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from three large U.S. cohort studies: National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Americans' Changing Lives Project, and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I.
- Assessed depressive symptoms using items from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale, defining symptoms as present or persistent.
- Employed multivariate regression analyses to examine correlates of depressive symptoms within adolescent and adult samples.
Main Results:
- Older adolescents exhibited the highest presence of depressive symptoms.
- Symptom persistence was comparable between adolescents and young to middle-aged adults.
- The oldest adults showed the lowest symptom presence but the highest symptom persistence.
- Low household income and ethnic minority status consistently correlated with depressive symptoms in both adolescents and adults.
Conclusions:
- Older adolescents face a higher risk for depression due to increased symptom presence and comparable persistence to adults.
- Economically disadvantaged ethnic minority adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to depression.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored mental health support considering age and socioeconomic factors.
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