Mood, latitude, and seasonality among adolescents

Objective: To examine the effect of sex, latitude, and behavior problems on symptoms related to pediatric seasonal affective disorder among seventh an d ninth graders. Method: A school survey including a modified Version of th e Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was carried out in 2 Finnish ci ties located in the 60th and 67th northern latitudes. Altogether 1,458 ques tionnaires were analyzed, representing 89% of the target population. Result s: Seasonal changes in mood and behavior were commonly reported among seven th and ninth graders. A high Global Seasonality score (>95th percentile) wa s associated with female gender and emotional and hyperactivity symptoms. D uring February and March, girls living in the 67th latitude reported more s easonal distress than girls living at the 60th latitude. Conclusions: It is important to recognize pediatric seasonal affective disorder and related p roblems among adolescents. Seasonal alterations in child and adolescent beh avior are not well understood and need to be investigated more thoroughly.