PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION IN LATE ADOLESCENCE - A LONGITUDINAL COMMUNITY STUDY

Objective: An ongoing 14-year longitudinal study examined psychosocial antecedents of major depression in late adolescence in a community po pulation. Method: Subjects were 385 adolescents followed between the a ges of 5 and 18 years. Early health, familial, behavior, academic, and environmental risks for major depression were identified using data c ollected at ages 5, 9, 15, and 18 years. At age 18. a lifetime diagnos is of major depression was assessed using the NIMH Diagnostic Intervie w Schedule (DIS-III-R). Results: For males, neonatal health problems, dependence problems at age 5 years, perceived unpopularity and poorer perceptions of their role in the family at age 9 years, remarriage of a parent. early family discord, and anxiety at age 15 years significan tly increased the risk of developing major depression. Females with ma jor depression, compared with nondepressed females, had older parents and came from larger families, and at age 9 years had greater perceive d unpopularity and anxiety, lower self-esteem, and poorer perceptions of their role in the family. Depressed females also reported more stre ssful life events. including death of parent and pregnancy. Conclusion s: Underscoring the importance of early psychosocial factors in the la ter development of major depression and pointing to specific risks, ou r findings can aid in developing strategies for prevention and early i ntervention.