Adolescent Depression Research Articles

Relations of self-discrepancies with depression and anxiety in adolescents: The role of parents’ and peers’ expectations

This research aimed to explore relations between self-discrepancies, particularly in the actual and ought self, on one side, and depression and social anxiety on the other. The inconsistency in findings in existing studies is speculated to arise from variations in the definition of the ought self, which represents expectations of significant others about who we should be, with the term significant others not being defined. The results of research conducted on 543 high school students showed that all discrepancies are positively correlated with depression and social anxiety, and negatively with two dimensions of self-esteem: self-competence and self-liking. The findings indicate that all self-discrepancies serve as significant predictors of depression, with the discrepancy in the actual-ideal self and the actual-ought self by parents demonstrating a stronger predictive power than the discrepancy between the actual and ought self by peers. With regards to social anxiety, the discrepancy between actual and ought self by peers is a more influential determinant than the discrepancy between the actual and ought self by parents. It was also found that the discrepancy between the actual and ideal self is more significant than the expected discrepancy in the actual and ought self by peers in the prediction of social anxiety. Data on self-competence showed it was a mediating variable in the correlation between discrepancy in actual-ought self by parents, as well as actual and ideal self, and depression. Finally, self-liking appeared to be a mediating variable in the correlation between the actual-ideal discrepancy and social anxiety.

Changes in care provision to older parents during COVID-19 and the well-being of adult children: The moderating roles of the child-parent relationship and pandemic-related measures

Objective: The study addresses the associations between changes in care provision to older parents since the pandemic and worsened depression and anxiety in adult children. It also explores whether pandemic-related control measures and child-parent relationships moderated these associations. Background: Changes in informal care during the pandemic, such as increased or decreased caregiving frequency, may have affected caregivers’ psychological well-being. Limited research exists on how stressors and resources shape the well-being of adult children caregivers. Method: Data from 740 respondents in the first SHARE Corona Survey (SCS) who provided care for their parents during the pandemic were analyzed. Changes in depression and anxiety were assessed using data from SCS and pre-pandemic Wave. Logistic regression analyses were conducted, with added interactions between the moderators - pandemic measures and child-parent relationship characteristics - and changes in care frequency. Results: Increased caregiving frequency during the pandemic was associated with worsened depression. Stricter pandemic measures intensified this effect but also reduced the likelihood of anxiety for those who provided care less often. A higher quality of relationship with the mother in childhood was marginally associated with lower depression among those increasing caregiving but worsened depression for those decreasing it. Conclusion: To address post-pandemic caregiving challenges, efforts should focus on reducing caregiver stress and considering the enduring influence of early child-parent relationships.

A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Anxiety and Depression among Young People

Anxiety is defined as anxiety, nervousness, or restlessness caused by the anticipation of internal and external dangers. Adolescent depression and anxiety are a global problem, with WHO data showing that 14% of young people aged 10-19 face mental health problems worldwide. Depression and anxiety in adolescents are complex diseases that arise from the interaction of multiple factors, including biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and social factors. Adolescent depression and anxiety can be solved through proper measures. We propose a multi-pronged approach to address this mental health crisis, along with actionable solutions from principally the physical and psychological aspects. We aim to mitigate the negative consequences and foster an environment where young people can thrive emotionally, academically, and socially.

Childhood emotional maltreatment affects depression of adolescents with mood disorders: the mediating role of functions of non-suicidal self-injury

BackgroundChildhood emotional maltreatment, non-suicidal self-injury and depression are prevalent among adolescents with mood disorders. While existing model indicated that childhood emotional maltreatment, functions of non-suicidal self-injury and depression are interrelated, not much is understood about the interplay of functions of non-suicidal self-injury in the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and depression. Thus, the goal of this research was to ascertain how functions of non-suicidal self-injury relate to childhood emotional maltreatment and depression.MethodsThe participants were adolescents with mood disorders from three hospitals in Sichuan Province, data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Ottawa Self-injury Inventory-Functions, and Childhood Depression Inventory. SPSS26.0 software and PROCESS v3.3 model 4 were used for analysis.ResultsIn all, 235 adolescents (Mage=14.8, SD = 1.62) participated in the research. The functions of non-suicidal self-injury (r = 0.289, P < 0.01) and depression (r = 0.475, P < 0.01) were considerably positively connected with childhood emotional maltreatment, and the functions of non-suicidal self-injury were strongly positively correlated with depression (r = 0.364, P < 0.01). The direct impact of childhood emotional maltreatment on depression in adolescents was found to be significant (95% CI 0.434, 0.828) in the mediated effects model. Additionally, the indirect effect of childhood emotional maltreatment on depression through functions of non-suicidal self-injury was found to be significant (95% CI 0.055, 0.236), with a mediating effect value of 17.58%.ConclusionChildhood emotional maltreatment has a direct impact on depression, but it also has an indirect influence through mediation roles of functions of non-suicidal self-injury. Medical staff should take care of the mental health of adolescents hospitalized for mood disorders so that they can clarify the role of functions of NSSI in lowering depressive symptoms and improving quality of life and create more targeted and effective intervention plans.

Adult mental health outcomes of adolescent depression and co-occurring alcohol use disorder: a longitudinal cohort study

AbstractDepression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are frequently co-occurring in adolescence, which often goes undetected in routine care. While this may potentially compromise treatment effectiveness and lead to a less favourable long-term prognosis, few longitudinal studies have followed this group into adulthood. The aim of this study was to explore the risk for adult depression, anxiety disorders, suicidality, and AUD in adolescents with concurrent depression and AUD. The study was based on the Uppsala Longitudinal Adolescent Depression Study (ULADS), a Swedish prospective cohort study. Diagnostic interviews were conducted in adolescence (age 16-17) and adulthood (around age 30). Adolescents with concurrent depression and AUD (n = 38) were compared with peers having only depression (n = 189) or neither of the conditions (n = 144). Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Adolescents with concurrent depression and AUD were more likely than their non-affected peers to experience adult depressive episodes (aOR, 5.33; 95% CI, 2.22–12.83), anxiety disorders (4.05; 1.77–9.27), suicidality (5.37; 2.28–12.66), and AUD (7.68; 2.59–22.81). Notably, 34% of adolescents with both depression and AUD subsequently experienced both these conditions as adults, compared to 7% of adolescents with only depression. Adolescents suffering only from depression were less likely than those with both conditions to experience suicidality (0.44; 0.21–0.95) and AUD in adulthood (0.18; 0.07–0.44). These findings underscore the clinical imperative to identify adolescents with this comorbidity. Recognition of the poor long-term prognosis can inform targeted interventions for this vulnerable group, ultimately improving health and well-being throughout the life course.

A personalised nutrition intervention for adolescent depression: a mixed-methods feasibility pilot study.

Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the benefit of diet modification to improve diet quality in the treatment of adult major depressive disorder (MDD). However, research examining nutritional interventions for adolescents with MDD is sparse. This pilot study examined the feasibility of a personalised nutrition intervention for adolescents with MDD. Ten adolescents with MDD and their parents recruited from a tertiary care setting participated in an 8-week, single-arm mixed-methods study. Feasibility was assessed using five criteria (demand, acceptability, implementation, adaptation and limited efficacy testing) alongside qualitative interviews. The intervention involved four bi-weekly virtual nutrition counselling sessions with a stepped approach to dietary change, menu planning, grocery delivery and educational eHealth messages. Study participants sought positive changes in diet, health and lifestyle for adolescents and family-wide benefits. Recruitment challenges included concerns about managing mood fluctuations, anticipated dietary restrictions and the potential time and effort required for diet adherence. Feedback based on interviews emphasised moderate to high acceptability, satisfaction with menu planning and counselling and recognition of the benefits of trying new foods and sustaining positive dietary changes beyond the study. Improvements in depression symptoms (Cohen's d = 0·36, 95 % CI (-0·24, 3·36)), parent food modeling (Cohen's d = 0·24, 95 % CI (-0·43, 1·16) and the family food environment (Cohen's d = 0·61, 95 % CI (-0·04, 2·61)) were observed. This nutrition intervention was feasible for adolescents with MDD and was acceptable to both parents and depressed adolescents. These preliminary data suggest that further examination of the intervention and its potential benefits on depression symptoms and family food dynamics are warranted.

Adolescent Mental Health Crisis: Current Situation, Challenges and Solutions

This paper explores the mental health issues faced by 10-19-year-olds globally, which remain primarily under-recognized and under-treated. Although depression and anxiety in adolescents cannot be solved quickly, long-term improvements can be achieved. Long-term solutions to the adolescent mental health crisis need to include intergenerational shifts, social reform, medical advances, and public health engagement. The article analyzes the impact of family dynamics, social pressures, technological influences, and external crises on adolescent mental health. It makes policy recommendations, including raising awareness of depression and anxiety symptoms among guardians, establishing robust mental health services, training professional health care providers, and enforcing stricter regulation of cyberspace. And encourage young people to reduce stress through sports, hobbies and social activities. Overall, the paper argues for a policy framework that combines administrative and emotional care to protect young people’s mental health and enable them to reach their full potential.

Maternal depressive symptoms in and beyond the perinatal period: Associations with infant and preschooler sleep.

(1) To describe sleep in infancy and early childhood among children born to mothers with and without clinically significant depressive symptoms, and (2) to explore the relationships between maternal depressive symptoms and sleep patterns and problems during infancy and early childhood. Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from the Moe Kura: Mother and Child, Sleep and Wellbeing in Aotearoa/New Zealand study. Data was collected in pregnancy (T1), 12 weeks postpartum (T2), and 3 years post-birth (T3). Participants were 262 Māori and 594 non-Māori mother-child dyads. Chi-square and Independent T-tests measured bivariate associations between maternal mood (T1, T2, T3) and child sleep characteristics (T2, T3). Binary logistic regression models examined longitudinal and concurrent associations between maternal depressive symptoms and infant and preschooler sleep. Adjusted models accounted for key socio-demographic variables, as well as infant sleep variables in preschooler models. Bivariate associations were found between prior and concurrent depressive symptomology and many of the infant and preschooler sleep outcomes. In adjusted models, prenatal depressive symptoms remained independently associated with shorter-than-recommended sleep durations in preschoolers. In these models, concurrent depression was also associated with night waking, night LSRSP, and perceived sleep problems at 12 weeks postpartum, and CSHQ-determined and perceived sleep problems at 3 years post birth. Longitudinal and cross-sectional associations were found between maternal depressive symptoms and child sleep. Sleep appears to be one pathway by which maternal depression confers risk for suboptimal child health outcomes. Findings support the need for earlier and better maternal mental health services.

Solutions to Adolescent Depression and Anxiety: A Exercise Based Perspective

As the pace of society continues to accelerate, the frequency of mental fatigue and emotional stress that people feel in their daily lives is becoming more frequent, which has caused the prevalence of depression and anxiety to rise rapidly and has now reached alarming levels. According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 13% of the global adolescent population has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, a silent epidemic that casts a long shadow over our youth. Based on the above background, this paper first discusses the changing dynamics of the prevalence of depression and anxiety among young people and its negative effects on them. Subsequently, the therapeutic effects of exercise are analyzed in terms of accessibility, affordability, and potential as a complementary or alternative treatment. Finally, this paper gives some suggestions for better prevention of depression and anxiety.

The relationship between perceived parental phubbing and smartphone addiction in adolescents

Abstract Background Parental phubbing refers to the degree to which parents reduce or ignore their interactions with their children while taking care of their smartphones. Today, it has become important to conduct studies to understand the effects of parental phubbing on adolescents, which is increasing globally. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between perceived parental phubbing and smartphone addiction as well as depression in adolescents. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 314 adolescents aged 10-18 years who applied to the general pediatrics outpatient clinics of a university hospital in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, were included. The questionnaire form used for data collection consisted of questions about the sociodemographic information of the participants, ‘Perceived Parental Phubbing Scale’, ‘Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale Short Form’, and ‘Smartphone Addiction Short Form for Adolescents’ items. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H test and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. A value of p &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Depression and smartphone addiction levels were found to be significantly lower in adolescents who did not smoke, engaged in regular physical activity and had a close group of friends (p &amp;lt; 0.05). It was also found that the level of perceived parental phubbing was significantly higher in adolescents whose parents’ education level was above high school and who felt lonely (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Low level positive correlations was found between perceived parental phubbing and both depression (r = 0.116, p = 0.041) and smartphone addiction (r = 0.128, p = 0.023). Conclusions As the level of parental phubbing perceived by adolescents increased, the levels of depression and smartphone addiction in adolescents increased. These negative effects of parental phubbing on adolescents should be taken into consideration by mental health professionals. Key messages • It is important to consider and question parental phubbing as one of the related factors in adolescents with high levels of smartphone addiction and depression. • There is a need for studies to increase the awareness of parents, who are important role models for adolescents, about the concept of phubbing and its effects on adolescents’ mental health.

Childhood socioeconomic status and depression in adulthood: systematic review

Abstract Background Low socioeconomic status (SES) is generally associated with poorer mental health, particularly depression. We carried out a systematic review to address the question of whether childhood SES is associated with depression in adulthood and the potential pathways which may explain this association. Methods We followed a systematic search strategy in PubMed and Scopus with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. After removing duplicates, studies were screened for eligibility and quality was assessed independently by two assessors using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results After the selection process, 20 observational studies (7 cohort and 13 cross-sectional) that examine the association between SES during childhood and depression in adulthood were included in the systematic review. The most common measures of childhood SES were parental education, occupation or family income, estimated subjectively and/or objectively. In 17 of the studies an inverse relationship between childhood SES and depression was shown. In 17 studies, models were employed to demonstrate the possible pathways which explain the relationship between childhood SES and depressive symptoms. The most important mediators were adult SES, psychosocial factors, childhood trauma and physical health. Conclusions Our findings reveal the long-term association between childhood socioeconomic conditions and depression later in life. Suboptimal childhood SES seems to be an important risk factor for depression in adulthood. Improving childhood socioeconomic conditions can potentially have lasting effects well beyond childhood. Key messages • Protecting children against the effects of socioeconomic adversity could reduce depression in adult life. • Policy makers should direct resources towards alleviating childhood disadvantage for promoting health in adulthood.

Social factors that promote resilience in adolescents with depression: a systematic review

Abstract Background A socially protective environment matters. Social factors can protect against the development of depression among adolescents in community samples. There is however scant knowledge about their buffering role on the impact of depressive symptoms in adolescents in a clinical setting. Understanding these factors can help explaining why some children function well despite of their depression symptoms. In this review, we aimed to identify which social protective factors mitigate impairment from depression in adolescents. Methods We included peer-reviewed, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies using the following search strategy: Social protective factors AND depression or depression symptoms AND adolescents AND daily impairment, yielding 1737 hits. Included studies focused on social protective factors in relation to a depression diagnosis or depression symptoms severity, in adolescents age 11-24. Preliminary results We found 6 studies that examined the relationship between social protective factors and impairment or severity of depression symptoms in adolescents with a clinical depression or elevated symptoms. In these studies, higher rates of parental attachment, parental monitoring and school belonging moderated the relation between depression symptoms and daily impairment. Higher rates of family support and peer belonging were associated with the low depressed mood group. The rest of the studies tested the association of social protective factors on the development of depression symptoms in non-clinical populations. Conclusions There are limited studies on the buffering role of social protective factors in adolescents with clinical depression. Next, we will focus on non-clinical, longitudinal studies to explore which social protective factors moderate the development of depression over time. We aim to identify social factors that can mitigate the development of depression in community samples and are potentially important for clinical settings. Key messages • There is a scarcity of studies that explored the relation between social protective factors in adolescents with elevated depression symptoms or depression diagnosis. • The role of social protective factors that moderate the development of adolescent depression symptoms over time should be prioritized in the development of intervention programs.

Enhancing sleep and mood in depressed adolescents: A randomized trial on nurse-led digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

BackgroundDespite the effectiveness of digital cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) in treating comorbid insomnia and depression, its accessibility and high dropout rates among adolescents and young adults remain significant limitations. A potential solution could be nurse-led dCBT-I. This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of nurse-led dCBT-I in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving mood in adolescents and young adults with depression. AimsOur objective was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a nurse-led dCBT-I in reducing insomnia severity among adolescents and young adults with depression. MethodsA parallel-group randomized controlled trial involved 40 adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 24 with major depressive disorder and insomnia. They were assigned to receive either a nurse-led 6-week dCBT-I or usual care. The study evaluated outcomes such as insomnia severity, depression severity, and sleep parameters. Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after the intervention (6 weeks), and during a follow-up at 18 weeks. ResultsThe intention-to-treat analysis was performed using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). Results indicated that, compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in insomnia severity at the 18-week follow-up, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = −0.965, p < 0.001). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant decrease in depression severity both at the end of the intervention (Cohen's d = −0.686, p = 0.001) and at the 18-week follow-up (Cohen's d = −0.508, p = 0.011), indicating a medium effect size. ConclusionsNurse-led dCBT-I is an effective treatment for adolescents and young adults with depression and insomnia.

THE COMORBIDITY OF DEPRESSION AND PTSD IN SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background and Purpose: &lt;/strong&gt;In recent years, the incidence of child sexual abuse (CSA) has significantly increased, particularly among younger children. Such traumatic experiences can have profound and long-lasting effects on a child's mental health, often leading to an increased risk of developing disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aims to investigate the comorbidity of depression and PTSD in children who have experienced sexual abuse. The primary objective is to examine whether these two disorders frequently coexist in children subjected to CSA.&lt;strong&gt; Method: &lt;/strong&gt;This study follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and employs a systematic review methodology. No statistical analysis methods were utilized. The research sample also included adolescents, providing a broader understanding of the effects of CSA across different age groups.&lt;strong&gt; Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The findings revealed a strong correlation between child sexual abuse and the comorbidity of depression and PTSD, indicating that children who have been sexually abused are at a heightened risk of developing both disorders simultaneously.&lt;strong&gt; Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Children who have experienced sexual abuse are highly likely to develop both depression and PTSD. However, further research is necessary to deepen our understanding of this comorbidity and to explore effective interventions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0791/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Social support and mental health outcomes in palestinian children victims of bullying and cyberbullying during the covid-19 pandemic: an exploratory investigation

BackgroundStudies have shown that COVID-19 negatively impacted mental health by increasing depression and anxiety. Additionally, bullying might deteriorate children's psychological functioning. Nevertheless, social support has been studied as a positive buffer for mental well-being.ObjectivesThus, our study aimed to examine the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on children’s mental health when they are a victim of bullying and cyberbullying. Moreover, we tested the effect of social support as a mediating variable. A sample of 141 children (63 boys and 78 girls) 9 to 13 years old (M = 10.31, SD = 2.26) who reported having experienced bullying participated in the research. All were Palestinians living in Israel, attending primary schools.MethodsData was collected using the following measures, the Multidimensional Bullying Victimization Scale (MBVS), the Adolescents Cyber-Victimization Scale (CYBVICS), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a questionnaire measuring the effect of COVID-19 on mental health outcomes, the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Structural equation modelling was applied to test the association between variables and mediating effects.FindingsA positive correlation between Fear of COVID-19 and traditional bullying, cyberbullying, depression, and anxiety were found. Moreover, social support was negatively correlated with traditional forms of bullying and cyberbullying. Also, statistically significant differences between traditional bullying, cyberbullying, depression, and parents' difficulties emerged from parental marital status.Conclusionsfindings might help victims of bullying by training teachers and guiding parents to construct intervention plans to empower the social networks of children victims.

Perinatal depression and adverse child growth outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perinatal depression (PND), which encompasses the antepartum and postpartum depression (APD and PPD), is a neglected crisis in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to systematically search and meta-analyze existing evidence to determine whether a mother's PND affects adverse growth outcomes in children in LMICs (PROSPERO protocol: CRD42021246803). We conducted searches, including nine databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, Global Health Database, Google Scholar, WHO Regional Databases, PsycINFO, and LILACS) from January 2000 to September 2023. We restricted studies that assessed PND using validated screening tools or clinical interviews during pregnancy or within 12 months postpartum. We included studies that reported four types of adverse child growth outcomes (stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight/obesity) in children younger than 5 years. We assessed the quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and pooled risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) between PND and each adverse growth outcome using random-effects models. In total, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review, with 24 eligible for meta-analysis, spanning data from 15 countries and 26,261 mother-baby pairs. Based on the studies that reported ORs, children below the age of 3 years with mothers experiencing PND had higher odds for stunting (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.32, 2.02, I2 = 56.0%) and underweight (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.90, 3.68, I2 = 34.5%) compared to children of mothers without PND. The pooled RRs for stunting and underweight did not show significant differences between mothers with and without PND. Studies on wasting (n = 5) and overweight/obesity (n = 2) were limited, demonstrating inconsistent results across studies. The association between PND and adverse growth outcomes varied according to the measure of association, region, country, PND type, outcome timepoint, and study design. There were limited studies in diverse LMICs, particularly on wasting, or overweight/obesity as an outcome.

Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adolescent Behavioral Health Challenges, and High School Dropout.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with behavioral health challenges and high school dropout, and behavioral health is associated with high school dropout. Less is known about the role of behavioral health challenges in the relationship between ACEs and high school dropout. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (2013) and its 2014 Childhood Retrospective Circumstances Study supplement, the current study conducts mediational path analysis to examine the direct and indirect effects of cumulative ACEs on high school dropout via adolescent depression, anxiety, and substance use. Experiencing more ACEs was associated with depression, anxiety, and substance use. Only depression and substance use were associated with high school dropout. There was a significant direct effect between increased ACEs and high school dropout and significant indirect effects via depression and substance use, but not anxiety. Adolescent behavioral health interventions to address the long-term effects of ACEs may also support academic achievement. School-based interventions, particularly those aligned with trauma-sensitive school frameworks and engaging various school personnel, including school nurses, should be considered. Community- and policy-level interventions aimed at primary prevention of ACEs are also needed.

Shared and unique lifetime stressor characteristics and brain networks predict adolescent anxiety and depression.

Exposure to major life stressors and aberrant brain functioning have been linked to anxiety and depression, especially during periods of heighted functional brain plasticity, such as adolescence. However, it remains unclear if specific characteristics of major life stressors and functional network disruptions differentially predict anxiety and depression symptoms over time and, if so, whether they act independently or jointly. We collected baseline lifetime stressor exposure data and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data in a longitudinal sample of 107 adolescents enriched for anxiety and depressive disorders. We examined five stressor characteristics: physical danger, interpersonal loss, humiliation, entrapment, and role change/disruption. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed at baseline, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Linear mixed effect models tested if these stressor characteristics, functional connectivity within and between frontoparietal, default, and ventral attention networks, and their interactions differentially predicted anxiety and depression symptoms at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Greater lifetime severity of physical danger and humiliation prospectively predicted increased anxiety symptoms at both follow-ups, whereas greater lifetime entrapment severity prospectively predicted higher anxiety and depression symptoms. Only the effects of lifetime entrapment severity were robust to including within- and between-network functional connectivity metrics and other significantly predictive stressor characteristics. Lifetime entrapment severity more strongly predicted anxiety symptoms in youth with higher default network connectivity. Greater functional connectivity between frontoparietal and default networks prospectively predicted increased depression symptoms. Taken together, these results underscore the critical importance of using stressor characteristics and functional connectivity jointly to study predictors for adolescent anxiety and depression.

Iron Deficiency and Internalizing Symptoms Among Adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Iron Deficiency (ID) affects two billion people worldwide, predominantly adolescent girls, and may be associated with increased psychopathology. The associations between ID and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents were examined using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized Americans. The current analysis included survey cycles where both iron-related markers and mental health-related outcomes were collected in adolescents 12 to 17 years old. Acute and serious medical conditions, acute inflammation, and abnormal birth weight led to exclusion. Linear multivariable regression analyses examined the association between ID status (defined based on the total body iron model) and (1) total Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score, (2) one item examining anxiety severity, and (3) one item examining overall mental well-being. Covariates included age, sex, race and ethnicity, body mass index, household income, head-of-household marital status, and psychotropic medication use. Sensitivity analyses examined the robustness of the findings when ID was defined based on the ferritin model. In 1990 adolescents (age [mean ± SD]: 14.5 ± 1.7 years; 85.7% females), ID with and without anemia was significantly associated with a higher PHQ-9 score in multiracial adolescents (Cohen's d = 1.09, p = 0.0005 for ID without anemia; d = 0.92, p = 0.0395 for ID with anemia). Moreover, ID with anemia was associated with more severe anxiety (d = 3.00, p = 0.0130) and worse mental well-being (d = 2.75, p = 0.0059) in multiracial adolescents. The findings remained significant after adjusting for psychotropic use and in the sensitivity analyses. Iron deficiency is associated with poorer mental health in adolescents of multiracial background. Future studies should confirm these findings prospectively and examine the underlying mechanism.

How Does Maternal Childhood Trauma, Adult Attachment, Depression, and Parental Reflective Functioning Affect Preschool Children’s Socio-emotional Development?

How Does Maternal Childhood Trauma, Adult Attachment, Depression, and Parental Reflective Functioning Affect Preschool Children’s Socio-emotional Development?