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Prevalence and risk factors for depression in children: an outpatient pediatric sample
U Trangkasombat1, D Likanapichitkul
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
Pediatric depression affects over a third of children in outpatient clinics, with females experiencing more severe symptoms. Psychosocial stressors significantly increase depression risk and suicidal behavior in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Depression is a significant mental health concern in children.
- Children with chronic physical illnesses may be at higher risk for depression.
- Understanding the prevalence and contributing factors of pediatric depression is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and types of depression in children attending a pediatric outpatient clinic.
- To identify psychosocial stressors associated with depression in this population.
- To examine the relationship between depression, psychosocial stressors, and suicidal behavior.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 81 children (ages 9.3-15.3) at a pediatric outpatient clinic.
- Assessment of depression prevalence, types (depressive symptoms, adjustment disorder, dysthymia, major depression), and severity.
- Evaluation of psychosocial stressors including parental psychiatric illness, living conditions, and history of abuse.
- Comparison of suicidal behavior rates between depressed and non-depressed children.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of depression was 34.6%, with adjustment disorder being the most common type.
- Females exhibited more severe depressive symptoms than males.
- Depressed children were more likely to have a history of suicidal behavior (60.7% vs. 20.6%).
- Significantly higher rates of psychosocial stressors, including parental psychiatric illness, unstable living conditions, and abuse history, were found in the depressed group.
Conclusions:
- Depression is a common issue among children with physical illnesses in outpatient settings.
- Psychosocial stressors play a critical role in the development and severity of pediatric depression.
- Healthcare providers should screen for depression and assess psychosocial risk factors in children, particularly those with chronic conditions.
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study the prevalence, type, and psychosocial stressors associated with depression. The subjects were 81 children who came to the outpatient pediatric clinic, Chulalongkorn Hospital. There were 39 boys and 42 girls with the age range of 9.3-15.3 years. The results of the study were as follows. The prevalence of depression was 34.6 per cent. Types of depression were depressive symptoms only, 7.4 per cent; adjustment disorder with depressed mood, 17.3 per cent; dysthymia, 6.2 per cent; and major depression, 3.7 per cent. Females had more severe symptoms than males. Of the depressed group, 60.7 per cent had previous suicidal behavior compared with 20.6 per cent in the non-depressed group (p < 0.001). The rates of all psychosocial stressors were higher in the depressed group. Those with statistical significance were parental psychiatric illness, unstable living condition and history of abuse. Depressed children also experienced twice the number of psychosocial stressors compared with the non-depressed group (p < 0.01). This study shows that depression is prevalent in children with physical illnesses. It is imperative that physicians be aware of this problem especially in children who have many psychosocial stressors.