Prevalence of depression and its associated sociodemographic factors among Iranian female adolescents in secondary schools

Abstract

Background Across the globe, depression is a common psychiatric disorder and is the main cause of disability among adolescents. To this end, this study was conducted to screen for the prevalence of depression among secondary school female students in the city of Hamadan, in western Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 670 secondary school female students, within the age range of 15–18 years were investigated using multistage random sampling method. Moreover, the Persian version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and a researcher-designed questionnaire containing demographic variables were employed as research instruments. Analyses of the findings were made using SPSS version 16 software followed by stratified logistic regression model, which was performed for correlation analysis. Results The mean (standard deviation) age of students was 16.2 (0.68) years. The prevalence of severe depression in female students estimated by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was equal to 52.6%. A statistically significant relationship was also observed to exist between prevalence of depression and type of school ( P < 0.001), family income (P < 0.001), living in the suburbs ( P < 0.001), and field of study at school (P < 0.001). However, no statistically significant correlation was found between depression among students and school grade, type of living with parents, father’s education and occupation, mother’s education and occupation, and family size. Conclusion Depression was prevalent among the secondary school female students examined and it significantly correlated with socioeconomic status. Therefore, periodic screening, psychological training programs, proper diagnosis of high-risk individuals in secondary schools, and early intervention among secondary school female students are urgently needed.

Demographic, Social, and Economic Factors of Internalizing Problems in Referred and Non-Referred Adolescents

“…Our results showed that the association between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation was stronger in adolescents with a low socioeconomic status. These findings, in line with previous research [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], indicate that a low family socioeconomic status may be a risk factor for the emergence and maintenance of some internalizing problems. These results may help us to identify vulnerable populations and evidence the convenience of developing primary prevention programs designed to target non-referred adolescents who come from economically disadvantaged family contexts.…”

“…Another interesting finding is that when both socioeconomic status and parents’ educational level were considered in the same analysis, suicidal ideation was significantly associated with socioeconomic status, but not with parents’ educational level. As predicted, and consistent with available evidence [ 40 , 41 ], we found higher levels of suicidal ideation among referred and non-referred adolescents from families with a low socioeconomic status. In contrast, the relationship between socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms was not significant when parents’ educational level was partialled out.…”

“…Regarding social factors, research has focused on the contribution of socioeconomic status and parents’ educational level to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adolescents. These studies indicate that adolescents who come from families with a low socioeconomic status are at a greater risk of developing depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], both in girls and in boys [ 42 ]. Few studies, however, have analyzed the contribution of parents’ educational level as a factor distinct from socioeconomic status.…”

Depressive symptoms among orphans and vulnerable adolescents in childcare homes in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

“…The internal behavior of girls, the way in which they respond to stress, the effect of the adolescence stage, and the effect of cultural discrimination could be possible causes of higher depression rates among females compared to males. Moeini et al [34] reported that in the puberty stage, there are various possible psychological risk factors that lead to depression, particularly among girls. Schimelpfening [35] reported that the social and socialization role of females, gender differences, coping mechanisms, stressful life events, and hormonal changes in females were found to be risk factors of depression.…”

“…By the sample size calculation formula for a crosssectional [24], at Z α/2 = 1.96, α = 0.05, p = 0.52 [25], and considering a 20.0% nonresponse rate, then at least 459 samples were required for the analysis. The five study districts were selected purposively, and the CCHs in the selected districts were selected by a simple random method.…”