Abstract
Introduction:This paper investigates levels of depressive symptoms among older children and young adolescents, 11–14 years of age. The population-based sample was assessed twice during a 12-month period. Point-prevalence, 12-month prevalence, and 12-month incidence were measured by a validated self-reported scale (SFMQ) and are presented in this paper.Methods:A total of 2148 pupils were invited to participate in this study, and 1748 pupils and at least one parent/guardian provided informed consent. The population was assessed twice within one 12-month period resulting in 1439 participants at both data collection points. Depressive symptoms were measured by a validated self-reported scale, The Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ).Results:The results indicate that the point-prevalence was just under 10% in 6th to 10th grade with a 12-month prevalence at almost 3%. The results also indicate an incidence rate of 4.5% over 12-months. This study confirms that girls report a higher range of point prevalence, 12- month-prevalence, and 12-month incidence compared to boys.Conclusions:The results indicate that depressive symptoms among children and young adolescents is a serious health challenge. The results demonstrate substantial gender differences even at an early age (11-14 years), where girls report significantly higher point prevalence, 12-month-prevalence, and 12-month incidence compared to boys. Results from this study suggest that depressive symptoms are an important problem that young adolescents face, and the study underlines the need for more intervention tailored to gender at the middle-school level, especially with respect to those children and adolescents who experience persistent depressive symptoms.
Highlights
This paper investigates levels of depressive symptoms among older children and young adolescents, 11–14 years of age
Our results demonstrate that girls are twice as likely as boys to experience a high range of point prevalence and 12month incidence
The aim of this study is to assess point prevalence, 12-month prevalence and 12-month incidence regarding depressive symptoms in a populationbased sample of older children and young adolescents in 6th through 10th grade. This is the first study reporting the prevalence of depressive symptoms at pointprevalence, 12-month prevalence and 12-month incidence by assessing the same sample of older children and young adolescents aged 11-14 twice during a one-year period
Summary
This paper investigates levels of depressive symptoms among older children and young adolescents, 11–14 years of age. Point-prevalence, 12-month prevalence, and 12-month incidence were measured by a validated self-reported scale (SFMQ) and are presented in this paper. The population was assessed twice within one 12-month period resulting in 1439 participants at both data collection points. This study confirms that girls report a higher range of point prevalence, 12- month-prevalence, and 12-month incidence compared to boys. Conclusions: The results indicate that depressive symptoms among children and young adolescents is a serious health challenge. The results demonstrate substantial gender differences even at an early age (11-14 years), where girls report significantly higher point prevalence, 12-month-prevalence, and 12-month incidence compared to boys. In systematically comparing adolescent and adult major depression symptoms profiles, Rice et al (2019) demonstrated that appetite, weight change, energy loss and insomnia were more common in adolescents, while loss of interest, anhedonia and concentration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
