Adolescent fears as predictors of depression

Background: Recent studies raise questions on the relationship between adol escent fears and risk for major depression. Methods: An epidemiologic sample of 776 young people received psychiatric a ssessments in 1983, 1985-1986, and 1992. Prospective associations were exam ined between fears in adolescence and future episodes of major depression. Results: Both overall level of fears and specific fear of dark in adolescen ce predicted future risk for major depression. Conclusions: Relatively high levels of fear in adolescence represent a risk factor for later episodes of major depression. (C) 2001 Society of Biologi cal Psychiatry.