Community factors influencing child and adolescent depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Depression has been identified as a priority disorder among children and adolescents. While numerous reviews have examined the individual and family factors that contribute to child and adolescent depressive symptoms, less is known about community-level risk and protective factors. The aim of this study was to complete a systematic review to identify community risk and protective factors for depression in school-aged children (4-18 years). Method:The review adopted the procedures recommended by the Cochrane Non-Randomised Studies Methods Working Group and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify both observational and intervention study designs in both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications.Results: A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen of the 18 community association studies and 2 of the 3 intervention studies reported one or more significant effects. Results indicated that community safety and community minority ethnicity and discrimination act as risk factors for depressive symptoms in school-aged children. Community disadvantage failed to achieve significance in meta-analytic results but findings suggest that the role of disadvantage may be influenced by other factors. Community connectedness was also not directly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion:There is evidence that a number of potentially modifiable community-level risk and protective factors influence child and adolescent depressive symptoms suggesting the importance of continuing research and intervention efforts at the community-level.

Depression and anxiety among university students in Hong Kong

“…These factors were associated with depressive symptoms. 22 This implies that, in addition to promoting personal mental health, community-level risk and protective factors that affect individuals' optimism towards future are sufficiently important to receive broader attention.…”

Depression and anxiety disorders among schoolgoing adolescents in an urban area of South India

“…reported the multifactorial association and co-existence of several family and environmental factors. [14]…”

Reciprocal associations between early adolescent antisocial behavior and depressive symptoms: A longitudinal study in Victoria, Australia and Washington State, United States

“…Associations between school risk factors, for instance academic failure, and depressive symptoms have also been reported (Mazza, et al, 2009;Patton, et al, 2000;Shortt & Spence, 2006). Community-based violence, poverty, and increased frequency of school and home transitions also pose risks for increased depressive symptoms among adolescents (Shortt & Spence, 2006;Stirling, Toumbourou, & Rowland, 2015). Although less frequently examined, protective factors such as opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement (e.g.…”