Religiosity and major depressive episodes among female adolescents

Disparities in Adequate Mental Health Care for Past-Year Major Depressive Episodes Among Caucasian and Hispanic Youths

Following efforts made in recent years to provide effective mental health treatments based on evidence-based guidelines, a working definition was developed in the literature detailing a minimum level of "adequate mental health care" for serious mental illness. However, little is known about racial or ethnic disparities in receipt of adequate mental health care for individuals affected with serious mental illness. The objective of this study was to examine disparities among Caucasian and Hispanic youths in receipt of adequate mental health care for past-year major depressive episodes. Data for this study were drawn from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study sample was composed of 1,169 Caucasian youths and 316 Hispanic youths aged 12 to 17 with past-year major depressive episodes. The percentages of youths in the sample who received adequate mental health care for past-year major depressive episodes were estimated, and the correlates of receipt of adequate mental health care were examined. Thirty-four percent of the full sample received adequate mental health care for past-year major depressive episodes, but separate analyses indicated that adequate mental health care was received by a significantly higher proportion of Caucasian youths (36%) than Hispanic youths (27%). The odds of receiving adequate mental health care for past-year major depressive episodes for Caucasians were 1.55 times that of Hispanics (p=.01). Having Medicaid or coverage via the State Children's Health Insurance Program significantly increased the odds of receiving adequate mental care for past-year major depressive episodes for both Hispanics and Caucasians. As mental health problems of adolescents from diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds become more easily identified and a larger proportion of these groups is referred to mental health treatment services, it is important to examine the degree to which treatment should be tailored to engage and retain specific racial or ethnic groups so that they will receive the minimum of adequate mental health care.

Never, non-daily, and daily smoking status and progression to daily cigarette smoking as correlates of major depressive episode in a national sample of youth: Results from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2013 to 2015

The opioid crisis is a public health emergency in the United States, with staggering financial and social costs to society. Nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) disproportionately impacts adolescents, with opioid-related mortality rates increasing for female adolescents. Past research has linked opioid misuse to mental health problems, and adolescents have the highest prevalence of substance use and mental health disorders compared with other age cohorts. This study examined the relationship of adolescent NMPOU with having a major depressive episode (MDE), stratified by gender. This study used data from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and included 11,489 respondents aged 12 to 17. Multivariate logistic regression analyses using survey design weights were used to examine the effect of past-year NMPOU with the odds of having a past-year major depressive episode. Results indicated a higher prevalence of past-year MDE among adolescents who used NMPOU (34.0%), compared to those who did not (12.7%). Adolescent opioid misuse was associated with increased 60% higher odds for having a past-year MDE (OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.11, 2.32], p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis found that NMPOU was associated with increased odds for having a past-year MDE for adolescent females (OR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.24, 3.17], p < 0.01), while the association of NMPOU with past-year MDE was not statistically observed for adolescent males. Results indicated that opioid misuse is a leading factor associated with having a major depressive episode among adolescent females. Adolescent females were at a higher risk for poor mental health outcomes compared to adolescent males. Social workers in collaboration with other professionals can play a central role by coordinating substance use and mental health prevention and recovery services.

This study examined the extent and correlates of perceived unmet need for treatment among individuals with depression in the U.S. general population. Analyses were based on a representative sample of 6,510 adult participants in the 2005 and 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health who reported a major depressive episode in the past 12 months. A total of 3,568 (62.4%) participants had sought mental health treatment in the past 12 months, and 2,942 (37.6%) had not; 34.9% and 26.8% of these groups, respectively, reported unmet need for treatment. In both groups, older age was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting unmet need for treatment, whereas greater distress and impairment and higher education were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting unmet need. Among treatment seekers, treatment from general medical providers was associated with greater likelihood of unmet need, and more outpatient visits and insurance coverage for the full year were associated with a lower likelihood of unmet need. The most common reason for not seeking needed treatment was a concern about costs (cited as a reason by 46.0% of the total sample). Even though rates of treatment seeking have increased, many persons with major depression continue to experience unmet need for treatment, which in this study was mainly attributable to concerns about treatment costs.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease and commonly develops during adolescence. The COVID-19 pandemic was linked to significant increases in depressive symptoms among youth, but less is known about whether these increases have continued in recent years. Using the first four consecutive years of methodologically comparable national data since the pandemic, we examined changes in past-year major depressive episode (MDE) among U.S. adolescents aged 12-17 years from 2021 to 2024 and evaluated demographic and substance use factors. We analyzed pooled, cross-sectional data from the 2021-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized U.S. residents. The sample included 43,828 adolescents aged 12-17 years. Past-year MDE was assessed using DSM-5-based criteria. Survey-weighted logistic regression models estimated changes over time and adjusted associations with age, sex, race/ethnicity, and past-year tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Predicted prevalences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using post-estimation margins. The prevalence of past-year MDE decreased from 20.5% in 2021 to 14.8% in 2024, reflecting a 38.5% relative reduction. Adjusted models showed decreasing odds of MDE over time. Girls had significantly higher odds of MDE compared to boys, and older adolescents were at greatest risk. Compared with non-Hispanic White adolescents, non-Hispanic Black/African American, non-Hispanic Asian, and non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander adolescents had lower odds of MDE, while non-Hispanic multiracial adolescents had higher odds. Alcohol and marijuana use were linked to increased odds of MDE. Past-year MDE among U.S. adolescents declined from 2021 to 2024, indicating partial recovery following pandemic-related increases. Despite overall improvements, ongoing disparities based on sex, age, race/ethnicity, and substance use highlight the continued need for targeted adolescent mental health prevention and early intervention efforts.

Major depressive episode (MDE) among adolescents is a significant public health issue. Approximately, 4.5 million adolescents have experienced an MDE in the past year. This study examined whether MDEs among adolescents differed based on specific parenting behaviors. A national sample of adolescents ages 12 to 17 years (n = 11,572) completed the 2023 National Survey of Drug use and Health. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether lifetime and past year MDE differed based on parenting behaviors. Results indicated that adolescents at highest risk for both lifetime and past-year MDE were female, older (14-15 or 16-17-years-old), and white. Regarding parenting behaviors, adolescents at highest risk for lifetime and past-year MDE were those who had parents never/seldom check their homework, never/seldom help with their homework, never/seldom limit the amount of TV, never/seldom tell them they did a good job, never/seldom tell them they were proud of them, and who argued/fought with them ten or more times in the past year. These findings show the intricate relationship between adolescent MDE and parenting behaviors. Public health educators should encourage parents to engage in authoritative parenting behaviors (defined as high levels of parental support, warmth, and clear expectations) to help prevent MDE among adolescents. Findings should be used to assist program developers in incorporating parenting components in MDE prevention and treatment efforts. Keywords: Major depressive episode, depression, adolescent, parenting

Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Unmet Need for Mental Health Care: Results From the NSDUH

Perceived Effectiveness of Medications Among Mental Health Service Users With and Without Alcohol Dependence

BackgroundThe prevalence of alcohol use among pregnant women aged 18–44 years old increased in recent years. The influence of mental health issues on an individual’s likelihood to use alcohol during pregnancy has not been thoroughly investigated. This study will examine the association between experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year and past-month alcohol use among pregnant women using the 2011–2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).MethodsPregnant women between the ages of 18 and 44 years old were included in the study for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between past-year MDE and past-month alcohol use adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, and employment status. Additional logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether this relationship differed by trimester of pregnancy.ResultsA total of 6745 participants were included in the analytic sample. The prevalence of past-year MDE and past-month alcohol use was 7.67% and 9.15% respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed past-year MDE was significantly associated with past-month alcohol use in pregnant women adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, and employment status (aOR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.34–2.87). This relationship became stronger in second and third trimesters of pregnancy.ConclusionsThis study showed a positive association between MDE and past-month alcohol use among pregnant women, with strongest effect estimates in the third trimester. These findings may inform approaches for improved screening guidelines and health education for individuals who may be at higher risk of prenatal alcohol use.

Research focused on disparities related to mental health comorbidities, especially among emerging adults with diabetes, is limited. Identifying associated factors of disparities could inform policy decisions to make diabetes-related interdisciplinary care more accessible for vulnerable groups. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015-2019), we examined disparities in presence of major depressive episode (MDE) and suicidal ideation among emerging adults with diabetes. Survey design-adjusted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses. The study included 1,125 emerging adults (18-25 years old), with a history of type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). After controlling for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, we found lower odds of having past-year major MDE for non-Hispanic Black (AOR, 0.42, p=0.032) compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Females were 3.02 times more likely to have past-year MDE than males (AOR, 3.02, p=0.004). The odds of having past-year MDE were 1.96 times higher among individuals who identified as LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) (AOR, 1.96, P=0.038). There were no statistically significant disparities in suicidal ideation related to race/ethnicity, sex, education, and family income. However, individuals who identified as LGB had significantly higher likelihood of suicidal ideation than their heterosexual counterparts (AOR, 2.47, P=0.004). Significant disparities related to MDE and suicidal ideation exist based on race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. Integration of a mental health professional into the multidisciplinary diabetes care team is critical for effective management of comorbid mental health conditions in younger patients with diabetes.

Background: Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is linked with poor mental health outcomes. Previous research has shown that religious support is protective for mental health. Objectives: To fill the gap in knowledge about how to assist NMPOU users decrease or prevent depression symptoms by incorporating religious support and to identify whether the suppressor model or the health effects model reflects the relationship between religious support and major depressive episode (MDE) for NMPOU users. Methods: Data from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were analyzed for 42,625 adults aged 18 years and older. Weighted binary logistic regression analyses were conducted using STATA 15 to examine the odds of NMPOU and religious support on MDE, all within the past year. Results: NMPOU was associated with increased odds of having a past-year MDE (OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.47, 3.62). Two significant associations were found among non-users: (a) between MDE and the importance of one’s religious beliefs (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.94) and (b) between MDE and sharing one’s religious beliefs with friends (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.78). However, the association of religious support and MDE among NMPOU users was not statistically observed. Conclusions: Religious support from friends and believing religious beliefs are essential in life appeared to be protective factors against MDE among non-users. Further research is needed to explore protective factors that can effectively address the association between opioid misuse and mental health and be incorporated into health interventions targeting the opioid epidemic.

Associations of lifetime abstention and past and current alcohol use with late-life mental health: A propensity score analysis

Interview with Dr Jerome H Jaffe

Patterns of major depression and nonmedical use of prescription opioids in the United States