Prevalence and associated factors of depression among Korean adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to identify factors significantly associated with recent depressive mood with respect to health-related behavioral patterns at the individual level, perceived safety in the school environment, and willingness to share concerns with family and social networks. Self-reported responses to questions regarding recent feelings of depression, health-related behaviors in physical, psychological, and spiritual subdomains, school refusal and perceived safety at school, and perceived social support were obtained from 1,991 in-school adolescents (mean [SD] age = 15.3 [1.7] years; male/female = 936/1055). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify explanatory factors significantly associated with recent depression, defined as feelings of sadness or hopelessness for more than 2 weeks (during the last 12 months) that interfered with everyday functioning. Of the 1,991 students, 271 (13.6%) reported recent depression. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed higher odds of recent depression in adolescents with frequent thoughts of school refusal (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.25 [2.44–4.32]) and those who engaged in regular physical exercise (1.57 [1.19–2.07]), whereas a positive mindset (0.65 [0.49–0.86]), perceived safety at school (0.62 [0.47–0.82]), and perceived social support from one’s mother (0.54 [0.40–0.72]) were associated with lower odds of recent depression. Taken together, our findings suggest that parents and teachers should talk regularly with adolescents about recent life (dis)satisfaction and stressors, particularly when they report frequent thoughts of school refusal. Perceived social support would increase perceived safety on school grounds and make it easier for teenagers to share their concerns with parents, thereby reducing the risk for depressive symptoms. School-based programs that promote a positive mindset would be helpful in preparing students for the challenges of adulthood.

Adolescents’ Experiences of Facilitators for and Barriers to Maintaining Exercise 12 Months after a Group-Based Intervention for Depression

“…Research on experiences from adolescents with depression reveal beliefs among their peers that depression does not exist [48]. Increased perceived safety in schools among adolescents with depression could be created with social support from families and teachers [49]. Greater social support may be important when encouraging adolescents with depression to maintain exercise in a school setting.…”

Multiple Mediating Effects of Conflicts With Parents and Self-Esteem on the Relationship Between Economic Status and Depression Among Middle School Students Since COVID-19

“…Beyond adults' depression, depression among middle school students has been given attention in the literature as many have suffered from depression due to school life or relationships with their parents (Greenberger and Chen, 1996;Sheeber et al, 1997;Tucker et al, 2003;Sajjadi et al, 2013;Yun et al, 2019). Since COVID-19, middle schoolers have reported more frequent depression and higher levels of depression (Barendse et al, 2021;Magson et al, 2021;Ravens-Sieberer et al, 2021).…”

“…However, few studies have addressed pathways related to middle school students' depression since COVID-19. As middle school students are still maturing and greatly influenced by their family relationships (Greenberger and Chen, 1996;Sheeber et al, 1997;Tucker et al, 2003;Sajjadi et al, 2013;Yun et al, 2019), it is important to account for family factors when considering their depression. In particular, many households have encountered economic challenges due to COVID-19-related economic recession (Acs and Karpman, 2020;Jackson et al, 2021;Trading Economics, 2021).…”

Fatores de risco associados a sintomas depressivos em adolescentes de um município de pequeno porte

“…Deste modo, evidenciou-se, neste estudo, que casos de depressão familiar impactam o desenvolvimento de sintomas depressivos em adolescentes. Yun et al (2019), em um estudo com adolescentes coreanos constataram que pais e professores muitas vezes não reconhecem os primeiros sinais de depressão em adolescentes, o que dificulta o acesso dos adolescentes deprimidos aos serviços de saúde e consequente ao tratamento. De acordo com Malas, Plioplys e Pao (2019), embora a terapia medicamentosa não seja a única possível para tratar adolescentes deprimidos, é considerada como marco para avaliar a porcentagem dos adolescentes em tratamento, e mesmo que a maioria dos jovens medicamente doentes sejam resilientes e estejam bem, os efeitos da doença podem piorar o funcionamento diário, a autoestima, o humor e a qualidade de vida, para os autores, o atendimento psiquiátrico é necessário quando um paciente apresenta depressão recorrente, é resistente ao tratamento ou apresenta desregulação comportamental significativa, incluindo não adesão ao tratamento.…”