Adolescent Major Depression On the Rise Nationwide, Warranting Enhanced Efforts, Says Childhood Studies Researcher - Rutgers-Camden NewsNow

By Tom McLaughlin

A growing number of adolescents are going untreated for major depression nationwide over the past several years, warranting enhanced educational, policy, and service capacity efforts, according to a new Rutgers University–Camden study.

Females, older adolescents, and those from single-mother households may be at greatest risk of depression among adolescents ages 12 to 17 nationwide, says Wenhua Lu, an assistant professor of childhood studies at Rutgers University–Camden, who conducted the study.

“Data also shows that adolescents with less authoritative parents are especially susceptible to major depression and less likely to receive treatments and medication,” says Lu.

The Rutgers–Camden researcher examines the national trends in the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment of depression among adolescents, and investigates disparities in their mental health service use in the United States, in her new study to be published in the January 2019 issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior.

“Major depression represents a severe health concern among adolescents, with suicide being the third highest cause of death among 10- to 19-year-olds,” says Lu. “Depression is often not diagnosed and treated in this age group, which can lead to severe long-term health and social consequences.”

Lu analyzed data for adolescents ages 12 to 17 years who participated in the annual, cross-sectional National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2011 to 2016.

Adolescents participating in the survey had answered a number of questions to assess major depression, treatment for depression, parenting styles, school experiences, and sociodemographic factors.

Lu found that the prevalence of adolescents’ depression increased steadily each year during the time period studied, however, their overall use of mental health services remained unchanged.

“Lower rates of treatment and medication use are found among racial/ethnic minorities. Most markedly, Asian American are least likely to use medications,” notes Lu in the study. “Lack of insurance further prevent adolescents from receiving treatments.”

Moreover, says Lu, while having less authoritative parents decreased adolescents’ chances of using treatment and medication, negative school experiences significantly increased the likelihood that they would use health care services.

The Rutgers–Camden researcher concludes that an increasing number of adolescents are not being treated for depression, warranting enhanced educational, policy, and expanded service capacity efforts.

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