Protective factors against depression in high-risk children and adolescents: a systematic review of longitudinal studies.

Abstract

Depression is a significant global disability, and early adverse experiences (EAE) represent consistent risk factors in children. However, protective factors play a vital role in promoting healthy development and mitigating these risks. We conducted a thorough literature search on Pubmed, APA, Emcare, and EMBASE from 1946 to August 25, 2023. We included longitudinal studies analyzing protective factors for depressive symptoms in high-risk children or adolescents, excluding cross-sectional studies, reviews, and pre-clinical studies. Our analysis comprised 29 studies with 62,405 participants, identifying 38 protective factors. Positive individual characteristics, family factors, peer relationships, school-related aspects, neighborhood characteristics and intrinsic religiosity were associated with reduced depressive outcomes. These findings have important implications for developing preventive strategies in this population. Addressing protective factors can contribute to preventing depression and enhancing mental well-being across the lifespan.