Major and minor depression in female adolescents: onset, course, symptom presentation, and demographic associations.
We examined the epidemiology and phenomenology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and minor depression among a community sample of 496 female adolescents. Diagnostic interviews were conducted annually for 7 years, allowing us to examine onset, course, and symptom presentation among participants 12 through 20 years old. Approximately 1 of 6 girls experienced MDD. MDD episodes had a mean duration of 5.3 months (SD=4.2). One-year prevalence for MDD peaked at age 16 (5.3%). White racial status and younger age were associated with greater worthlessness and suicidality during an MDD episode. One of 5 girls met criteria for minor depression. Adolescents from racial/ethnic minority groups were at especially high risk for minor depression. Adolescence is a high-risk period for depression in young women, although its prevalence and phenomenology vary as a function of age and race/ethnicity.
Rohde
Paul
P
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA. paulr@ori.org
Beevers
Christopher G
CG
Stice
Eric
E
O'Neil
Kelly
K
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015206:Southwestern United States; D055815:Young Adult