Depressive symptoms in adolescence as predictors of early adulthood depressive disorders and maladjustment.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined the association between self-reported depressive symptoms in adolescence and mental well-being in early adulthood.


METHODS
A questionnaire assessing psychosocial well-being was given to a group of subjects (N=651) in their last 3 years of high school (mean age=16.8 years) and again when these subjects reached early adulthood (mean age=21.8 years). Diagnostic interview data were obtained from a subgroup of the young adults (N=245). Adolescents' depressive symptoms were analyzed in relation to their early adulthood mental health outcome data.


RESULTS
Depressive symptoms in adolescence predicted early adulthood depressive disorders (major depression and dysthymia), comorbidity, psychosocial impairment, and problem drinking.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms in adolescence deserve attention as a potential risk for early adulthood mental disorders.
Aalto-Setälä
Terhi
T
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Iirislahdenranta 30, FIN-02230 Espoo, Finland.
Marttunen
Mauri
M
Tuulio-Henriksson
Annamari
A
Poikolainen
Kari
K
Lönnqvist
Jouko
J
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors