Adolescent depression: important facts that matter.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there are differences in adolescent depression using variables of age, gender, smoking, and alcohol use.


METHODS
A comparative, descriptive survey design was used. The adolescents (N = 217) completed either the Beck Depression Inventory or the Children's Depression Inventory and a demographic questionnaire.


RESULTS
The 15- to 16-year-olds (p = .016), females (p = .003), and smokers (p = .001) scored significantly higher than the 12- to 14-year-olds on depression. The 15- to 16-year-olds who used alcohol were found to be twice as depressed as the nonusers (p = .002). No significant differences were found in the 17- to 19-year-old age group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed depression increased with age, in females, and with smokers. Nurses are in a unique position to provide interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the likelihood of depression and alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescents.
Pullen
L M
LM
College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA. lpullen@utk.edu
Modrcin-McCarthy
M A
MA
Graf
E V
EV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*