Citation

Fergusson DM, Woodward LJ. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 2002; 59(3): 225-231.

Affiliation

Development Study, Christchurch School of Medicine, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. david.fergusson@chmeds.ac.nz

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11879160

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study used longitudinal data to examine the extent to which young people with depression in mid adolescence (ages 14-16) were at increased riskof adverse psychosocial outcomes in later adolescence and young adulthood (ages 16-21). METHODS: Data were gathered during a 21-year longitudinal studyof a birth cohort of 1265 children. Measures included assessments of DSM-III-R major depression (at age 14-16); psychiatric disorders, educational achievement, and social functioning (at age 16-21); social, familial, and individual factors; and comorbid disorders. RESULTS: Thirteen percentof the cohort developed depression between ages 14 and 16. Young people with depression in adolescence were at significantly (P<.05) increased riskof later major depression, anxiety disorders, nicotine dependence, alcohol abuse or dependence, suicide attempt, educational underachievement, unemployment, and early parenthood. These associations were similar for girls and boys. The results suggested the presenceof 2 major pathways linking early depression to later outcomes. First, there was a direct linkage between early depression and increased riskof later major depression or anxiety disorders. Second, the associations between early depression and other outcomes were explained by the presenceof confounding social, familial, and individual factors. CONCLUSIONS: Young people having early depression were at increased risk of later adverse psychosocial outcomes. There was a direct linkage in which early depression was associated with increased risk of later major depression and anxiety disorders. Linkages between early depression and other outcomes appeared to reflect the effectsof confounding factors

Language: en