Objective: To study sociodemographic determinants of depression among 14-16
years old girls and boys, and the role of perceived social support in medi
ating the effects of the background variables. Method: 16464 adolescents ag
ed 14-16 participated the School Health Promotion Study, a survey about hea
lth, health behaviour and school behaviour. Depression was measured by the
Finnish modification of the 13-item Beck Depression inventory. Moderate to
severe symptoms in this scale were recorded as depression. Results: Depress
ion was associated with family structure in both sexes. Among girls, having
moved recently and low parental education increased the risk for depressio
n, among boys, unemployment in thr family. Accumulating number of discontin
uities in life course increased the proportion of the depressed among both
girls and boys. Perceived lack of social support had the same effect. Lack
of support did not explain the effect on depression of the discontinuities
in life course. Conclusion: To detect risk groups for adolescent depressive
disorders, health services should pay attention to adolescents who have ex
perienced life changes. Perceived social support should be enquired. (C) 20
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