Risk factors for depressive symptoms in adolescent pregnancy in a late-teen subsample.
Depression in adolescent pregnancy is common but underrecognized and can be associated with negative medical outcomes. This brief report examines the relationship between depressive symptoms and various demographic and obstetrical risk factors, as well as the use of antidepressants in pregnant adolescents of late teenage years. Data were derived from a relatively large sample (506 women) recruited from university-based and community mental health centers in Iowa. A cross-sectional analysis did not reveal significant statistical associations between the risk factors and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory). Antidepressant use was very low (3.7 %), and adolescents with higher depression scores were more likely to take medications. In conclusion, screening for depression in pregnant adolescents should be universal, regardless of demographic and obstetrical risk factors, and promptly addressed.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA, hristina-koleva@uiowa.edu.
Hristina
H
Koleva
Scott
S
Stuart
D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017584:Reproductive History; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents