Adolescence in the shadow of depression: A comparative analysis of life satisfaction, self-esteem and executive...

This study aimed to compare adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy peers in terms of self-esteem, life satisfaction, executive functions, and cognitive flexibility.

The study included 76 adolescents aged 12-18 years (38 with MDD, 38 healthy controls) who completed a standardized assessments: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Scale and the Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT). Depression severity was measured using the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised.

Adolescents with MDD showed significantly lower scores in cognitive flexibility (p < 0.001), self-esteem (p < 0.001), life satisfaction (p < 0.001), and executive functioning (p = 0.0102) compared to controls.

Depression during adolescence is associated with notable deficits in cognitive and psychosocial domains, particularly in self-esteem and cognitive flexibility. These findings emphasize that MDD in adolescents extends beyond affective disturbances and involves disruptions in self-perception, adaptability, and learning-based executive processes. Integrating interventions that simultaneously target emotional regulation, self-esteem, and cognitive flexibility may enhance treatment outcomes and promote long-term psychological well-being in depressed youth.