Developmental trajectories of co-occurring depressive, eating, antisocial, and substance abuse problems in female adolescents.

Abstract

Growth trajectories of co-occurring symptomatology were examined in a community sample of 493 female adolescents who were followed annually from early to late adolescence. On average, depression, eating disorder, and substance abuse symptoms increased over time, whereas antisocial behavior decreased. Increases in each symptom domain were associated with relative increases in all other domains. Initial depressive and antisocial behavior symptoms predicted future increases in the other; substance abuse and antisocial behavior symptoms also showed prospective reciprocal relations. Initial depression predicted increases in eating disorder and substance abuse symptoms. Initial eating disorder symptoms predicted increases in substance abuse problems. Finally, the results suggest that the developmental covariation between depressive and eating disorder symptoms and between antisocial behavior and substance abuse symptoms was accounted for by distinct but related 2nd-order growth parameters.

Developmental pathways of eating problems in adolescents

“…These results seem to contradict other findings, suggesting that depressive symptoms in girls are predictive of a growth in eating pathology 14 and that there is an effect of chronic eating problems on depressive affect in subsequent years. 26 Nevertheless, when both types of problems coexist for adolescents, it could lead to subsequent academic, interpersonal, and behavioral problems.…”

“…10 As with other psychological problems, eating and depressive symptoms may covary as a function of shared risk or of a common underlying syndrome of psychopathology. 14 More longitudinal research is required to understand the developmental continuity of these problems in adulthood.…”

“…8 In adolescents with EDs of both sexes, ED symptoms were associated with mood and anxiety disorders, particularly depression, dysthymia, and panic disorder. 10 A unidirectional relation between depression and eating pathology has been described in adolescent girls 14 : Initial levels of depressive symptoms predicted future growth in eating pathology. Given the strong link between eating problems and depression in adolescents, some researchers suggested that their cooccurrence can precipitate the development of an ED and lead to a more severe course of illness.…”

Co-morbidity Between Gambling Problems and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Perspective of Risk and Protective Factors

“…Specifically, using growth modeling, Edgerton and colleagues (2014) found that gambling problems tend to decrease over time in young adults (i.e., from ages 18 to 24 years). More studies have modeled changes in depressive symptoms across adolescence (Cole et al, 2002;Garber, Keiley, & Martin, 2002;Keenan, Feng, Hipwell, & Klostermann, 2009;Measelle, Stice, & Hogansen, 2006) and from adolescence to early adulthood (Galambos, Barker, & Krahn, 2006;Galambos, Leadbeater, & Barker, 2004;Ge, Lorenz, Conger, Elder, & Simons, 1994;Kim, Capaldi, & Stoolmiller, 2003). These studies have consistently found that levels of depressive symptoms are rather low during middle childhood but increase significantly over the course of early adolescence, albeit mainly in girls.…”

Witnessing a Violent Death and Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Marijuana Use among Adolescents

“…15 These findings support the hypothesis that adolescents may smoke, consume alcohol, or use marijuana as a way to self-medicate and alleviate depressive symptoms. [15][16][17] Not every instance of witnessing violence results in adverse health outcomes, a difference that may depend on the availability of coping resources such as social support. For example, researchers conducted a longitudinal study and observed a lack of perceived social support to be a predictor for depressive symptoms.…”