Differences in vulnerability factors for depressive episodes in African American and European American adolescents

Although intervention tailoring could lower the burden of adolescent depression, few studies have examined differences in vulnerability factors between African American and European American youth.

We determined and compared the prevalence, relative risk, and population-attributable risk (PAR) of baseline vulnerability factors predicting depressive episodes at 1-year follow-up in a nationally representative sample of African American and European American adolescents.

The leading (highest PAR) vulnerability factors for African American adolescents were demographics, while the top vulnerability factors for European American youth were current depressed affect and low perceived family connectedness. Unique vulnerability factors for African American youth were (1) neither parent finished high school, (2) believing oneself unintelligent, and (3) running away from home. Avoidant problem solving, divorce, poor residential father relationship, sexual relationships, and delinquent behaviors did not predict depressive episodes in African American adolescents but did in European American. Low family and peer connectedness were important common vulnerability factors for both groups.

Differing patterns of vulnerability suggest that alternative strategies may be better suited to preventing depression among African American youth. A first step may lie in understanding what mediates the effect of low parental educational status on future depression risk.