Publication year
2009
Citation Title
Impact of teen depression on academic, social, and physical functioning.
Journal Name
Pediatrics
Journal Volume
124
Issue Number
4
Page Numbers
e596-e605
DOI
10.1542/peds.2008-3348
Summary
Self-reported survey data of depressed and non-depressed teens were utilized to examine the impact of teen depression on functioning within peer, family, school, and physical domains. In addition, the impact of teen depression on parents’ perceived strain and burden was also examined. Results indicate that teen depression negatively affected both teen and family functioning.
Key Findings
Depressed teens reported significantly more impairment in nearly all domains (e.g., academic, peer, family functioning, and physical health) and more days of impairment, compared to the non-depressed teens.
Compared to non-depressed teens, depressed teens reporting more anxiety, inattention/hyperactivity, aggression, substance use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Longitudinal analyses showed that depression affected subsequent teen functioning and parent strain.
Parents of depressed teens reported reductions in teens’ social and family relationships and greater strain on the family.
Implications for Military Professionals
Facilitate support groups for military families of children coping with mental health issues
Encourage collaboration between DoD and community-based services that work with military families coping with depression to provide comprehensive and seamless care
Implications for Program Leaders
Disseminate information regarding identifying and treating teen depression
Offer workshops to military families regarding the comorbidity of mental health issues
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support programs that provide screening and access to evidence-based care to prevent short and longer-term costs of teen depression
Educate service providers regarding the impact teen depression can have on military family functioning
Methods
Depressed and non-depressed teens and their parents were recruited from 11 primary care offices in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.
Participants completed a structure telephone interview survey to assess depression; depressed teens were those who met the criteria for a depressive episode for two or more weeks in the previous six months and who reported three or more depressive symptoms in the previous two weeks.
Participants completed a baseline assessment one week following the depression assessment and a follow-up interview 6-months post-baseline.
Participants
Participants included 368 (184 depressed, 184 non-depressed) teens and their parents (n = 339).
The majority of teen were female (78%), Latino (49%), and between the ages of 13 and 18 years (M = 15).
Demographic information for parents was not provided.
Limitations
Participants who completed the study may have been functioning at higher levels than those who choose not to participant, which could affected the outcome variables.
The use of self-report data means that data may be biased, with parents and children trying to respond in the “best” way.
Participants included only civilian teens and parents and may not be accurately reflect the experience of military teens and parents.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore how teen depression impacts military family functioning
Examine the effectiveness of military programs aimed at helping families cope with mental health issues
Investigate how comorbid mental health issues influence depression and teen well-being
Focus
Civilian
Target Population
Population Focus
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the impact of teen depression on peer, family, school, and physical functioning and the burden on parents. METHODS: Patients participated in a longitudinal study of teens with and without probable depression, drawn from 11 primary care offices in Los Angeles, California, and Washington, DC. A total of 4856 teens completed full screening assessments; 4713 were eligible for the study, and 187 (4.0%) met the criteria for probable depression and were invited to participate, as were teens who were not depressed. A total of 184 baseline assessments for teens with probable depression and 184 for nondepressed teens were completed, as were 339 (90%) parent interviews. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 328 teens (89%) and 302 parents (82%). Measures included teen reports of peer and parent support, 2measures of school functioning, grades, physical health, and days of impairment. Parent reports included peer, school, and family functioning and subjective and objective burdens on parents. RESULTS: Teens with depression and their parents reported more impairment in all areas, compared with teens without depression at baseline, and reported more coexisting emotional and behavioral problems. Both depression and coexisting problems were related to impairment. There was a lasting impact of depressive symptoms on most measures of peer, family, and school functioning 6 months later, but controlling for coexisting baseline emotional and behavioral problems attenuated this relationship for some measures. CONCLUSION: Improvements in teen depression might have benefits that extend beyond clinical symptoms, improving peer, family, and school functioning over time.
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