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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-07-2018 | Original Paper

Behavioral problem trajectories and self-esteem changes in relation with adolescent depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study

Authors: Cherry Y. Leung, Gabriel M. Leung, C. Mary Schooling

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 7/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Prospectively childhood behavioral problems and low self-esteem are associated with depression. However, these mental health changes over time have never been examined. This study assessed the association of childhood behavioral trajectories and self-esteem changes over time with adolescent depressive symptoms.

Methods

Parent-reported Rutter behavioral assessments and self-reported Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventories (SEI) were obtained via record linkage from the Student Health Service, Department of Health (Hong Kong), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depressive symptom scores were obtained via active follow-up of the Hong Kong’s Children of 1997” Chinese birth cohort. Partitional clustering was used to generate homogenous trajectories between ~ 7 and ~ 11 years for Rutter scores. Changes in low self-esteem between ~ 10 and ~ 12 years were obtained from the SEI. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate their associations with depressive symptom scores at ~ 13 years.

Results

Four trajectories/groups (stable low, declining, rising, and stable high) of Rutter score and self-esteem groups were created. The stable low behavioral trajectory was associated with the fewest depressive symptoms while the stable high trajectory had 1.23 more depressive symptoms [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.61] than the stable low trajectory. Consistently low self-esteem (stable low) was associated with 2.96 more depressive symptoms (95% CI 2.35–3.57) compared to consistently high self-esteem (stable high).

Conclusions

Sustained or worsening childhood behavioral problems and low self-esteem were precursors of adolescent depressive symptoms, and as such could be an early indicator of the need for intervention.

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Title: Behavioral problem trajectories and self-esteem changes in relation with adolescent depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study
Authors: Cherry Y. Leung
Gabriel M. Leung
C. Mary Schooling
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1508-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Behavioral problem trajectories and self-esteem changes in relation with adolescent depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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