Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
12.9K
Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study
Ngar Yee Poon1, Cheryl Bee-Lock Loh2
1Department of Psychological Medicine, KK Women's and Children Hospital, Singapore.
Singapore Medical Journal
|January 24, 2024
Summary
Adolescents experiencing depression often first seek help from family and friends. Suicidal thoughts and anhedonia-avolition symptoms were most challenging, but recovery fostered empathy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Depression significantly impacts adolescent well-being.
- Understanding adolescents' help-seeking experiences is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of adolescents with depression seeking healthcare.
- To identify initial symptoms, care experiences, and post-recovery reflections.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 14 adolescents (13-19 years old).
- Participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder and recovered at recruitment.
- Thematic analysis focused on adolescents' narratives of their depression experience.
Main Results:
- Adolescents initially managed depression within their social circles.
- Suicidal ideation, self-harm, and anhedonia-avolition were the most difficult symptoms.
- Recovered adolescents demonstrated significant empathy towards peers with depression.
Conclusions:
- This study provides novel insights into adolescent depression experiences in an Asian city-state.
- Findings can enhance understanding and inform the delivery of mental healthcare for adolescents.
- Empathy developed post-recovery may be a significant factor in their healing journey.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
102
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
102
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.2K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.2K
01:18Depression: Overview
244
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
244
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
32
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
32
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
55
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
55
01:22Case Studies
11.7K
There are many research methods available to psychologists in their efforts to understand, describe, and explain behavior and the cognitive and biological processes that underlie it.
11.7K