Abstract
BackgroundDepression is a common mental health problem in adolescents worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, comorbidity and sociodemographic and socioeconomic associations of depression and depressive symptoms, as well as the relevant health services use in a sample of adolescents in Greece.MethodsFive thousand six hundred fourteen adolescents aged 16–18 years old and attending 25 senior high schools were screened and a stratified random sample of 2,427 were selected for a detailed interview. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed with a fully structured psychiatric interview, the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). The use of substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, and several sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables have been also assessed.ResultsIn our sample the prevalence rates were 5.67 % for the depressive episode according to ICD-10 and 17.43 % for a broader definition of depressive symptoms. 49.38 % of the adolescents with depressive episode had at least one comorbid anxiety disorder [OR: 7.76 (5.52-10.92)]. Only 17.08 % of the adolescents with depression have visited a doctor due to a psychological problem during the previous year. Anxiety disorders, substance use, female gender, older age, having one sibling, and divorce or separation of the parents were all associated with depression. In addition, the presence of financial difficulties in the family was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of both depression and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsPrevalence and comorbidity rates of depression among Greek adolescents are substantial. Only a small minority of depressed adolescents seek professional help. Significant associations with financial difficulties are reported.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0584-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Depression is a common mental health problem in adolescents worldwide
Adolescents are often considered as a healthy population, they appear to be vulnerable to depressive disorders [5]
Prevalence rates in childhood are low with no gender differences [6] and increase significantly in adolescence, while gender differences emerge [7, 8]
Summary
Depression is a common mental health problem in adolescents worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, comorbidity and sociodemographic and socioeconomic associations of depression and depressive symptoms, as well as the relevant health services use in a sample of adolescents in Greece. Estimated 1-year prevalence rates of unipolar depression in mid to late adolescence range between 4–5 %. An earlier study has shown high prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents aged 12–17 years old [16]. A recent study in Greek adults reported that one month prevalence rate of major depression in the subgroup of youth under 24 years old increased considerably between the years 2008 and 2011. Younger age was identified as a risk factor for major depression in the Greek population [17]. Another study of Greek adults, which has implemented a different sampling procedure and has used a fully structured psychiatric interview, reported a lower prevalence rate of depression, which increased with age [18]
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