Depression in childhood and adolescence

Area of Science:

• Developmental psychology
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Unipolar depression incidence is low before puberty, increasing significantly in adolescence, especially among females.
• Comorbidity with disruptive and emotional disorders is common in youth depression.
• Depression in youth is linked to anxiety, disruptive behaviors, and increased risk for alcohol problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent evidence on the epidemiology and risk factors of child and adolescent depression.
• To review the developmental trajectories, associated outcomes, and treatment of depression in young people.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of current scientific literature on child and adolescent depression.

Main Results:

• Adolescent depression is associated with adverse long-term outcomes, including suicidality and impaired social and health functioning.
• Family history of depression and stressful life events are significant risk factors, involving both psychosocial and heritable influences.
• Neurocognitive and neuroendocrine pathways are implicated, but the adolescent rise in risk and female preponderance require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Despite advances, identifying disease mechanisms for early intervention in child and adolescent depression remains a priority.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific factors contributing to the developmental increase in depression risk and gender differences.