Prevalence and Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Conduct Problems in US Children

Abstract

Objectives To use the latest data to estimate the prevalence and correlates of currently diagnosed depression, anxiety problems, and behavioral or conduct problems among children, and the receipt of related mental health treatment. Study design We analyzed data from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) to report nationally representative prevalence estimates of each condition among children aged 3-17 years and receipt of treatment by a mental health professional. Parents/caregivers reported whether their children had ever been diagnosed with each of the 3 conditions and whether they currently have the condition. Bivariate analyses were used to examine the prevalence of conditions and treatment according to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. The independent associations of these characteristics with both the current disorder and utilization of treatment were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results Among children aged 3-17 years, 7.1% had current anxiety problems, 7.4% had a current behavioral/ conduct problem, and 3.2% had current depression. The prevalence of each disorder was higher with older age and poorer child health or parent/caregiver mental/emotional health; condition-specific variations were observed in the association between other characteristics and the likelihood of disorder. Nearly 80% of those with depression received treatment in the previous year, compared with 59.3% of those with anxiety problems and 53.5% of those with behavioral/conduct problems. Model-adjusted effects indicated that condition severity and presence of a comorbid mental disorder were associated with treatment receipt. Conclusions The latest nationally representative data from the NSCH show that depression, anxiety, and behavioral/ conduct problems are prevalent among US children and adolescents. Treatment gaps remain, particularly for anxiety and behavioral/conduct problems.

Longitudinal bidirectional relations between body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms among Black adolescents: A cross-lagged panel analysis

“…Previous studies assessed the variation in the relation between body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms by weight status or sex, but not both. The lack of significant differences in body dissatisfaction or depressive symptoms by sex in Black early adolescents is consistent with a study on body dissatisfaction among Black adolescents of~13 years [61], but contradictory to a study reporting a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among females than males in a national representative sample of adolescents aged 12-17 years [62]. The finding that there was no significant moderating effect of sex for either weight group is contradictory to the two studies that found sex variation in the bidirectional relations between body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms [30,31].…”

Academic Stress and Physical Activity in Adolescents

“…Although some studies have not confirmed the association between physical activity (PA) decline and changes in MH in adolescents, this does not undermine the importance of studying these associations [6]. e prevalence of mental disorders in 12-to 17-year-olds in the USA has been increasing [7,8], as is the case in Europe [9] and other countries [10]. In addition, while the prevalence of mental disorders is generally high, there exists significant inequality in MH among young people [11].…”

Economic Impact of Headache and Psychiatric Comorbidities on Healthcare Expenditures Among Children in the United States: A Retrospective Cross‐Sectional Study

“…2,3 Psychiatric comorbidities are also common and are associated with adverse effects including greater disability and increased risk for persistence of headache into adulthood. 8,9 Given the high prevalence and the associated health consequences, headache in childhood may result in substantial economic costs to families, healthcare systems, and society. 7 Youth with headache are more likely to have at least 1 of these psychiatric comorbidities than the general population of youth in the United States, where prevalence estimates are 7.1% for anxiety disorders, 3.2% for depressive disorders, and 9.4% for ADHD.…”

“…7 Youth with headache are more likely to have at least 1 of these psychiatric comorbidities than the general population of youth in the United States, where prevalence estimates are 7.1% for anxiety disorders, 3.2% for depressive disorders, and 9.4% for ADHD. 8,9 Given the high prevalence and the associated health consequences, headache in childhood may result in substantial economic costs to families, healthcare systems, and society. Furthermore, the presence of psychiatric comorbidities may modify the effect of headache on healthcare expenditures by increasing disease burden and risk for high expenditures.…”