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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

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01-12-2020 | Affective Disorder | Research article

Psychosocial stressors and protective factors for major depression in youth: evidence from a case–control study

Authors: Charlotte Elisabeth Piechaczek, Verena Pehl, Lisa Feldmann, Stefan Haberstroh, Antje-Kathrin Allgaier, Franz Joseph Freisleder, Gerd Schulte-Körne, Ellen Greimel

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Severe adverse life events, such as traumatic experiences, are well-known stressors implicated in (youth) major depression (MD). However, to date, far less is known about the role of more common psychosocial stressors in the context of MD, which are part of everyday life during youth. In addition, it is not well-understood whether and how distinct stressors interact with protective factors in youths diagnosed with MD. Thus, the present study aimed at examining several specific psychosocial stressors implicated in a first-episode juvenile MD and addressed the question whether protective factors might moderate the relationship between stressors and a diagnosis of MD.

Methods

One-hundred male and female youths with MD and 101 typically developing (TD) controls (10–18 years) were included. A large number of qualitatively different psychosocial stressors occurring in various areas of life were assessed via self-report. Moreover, we also investigated sociodemographic and pre- and postnatal stressors, as well as the presence of familial affective disorders via parental-report. Social support and a positive family climate were conceptualized as protective factors and were assessed via self-report.

Results

Results showed that the proportion of youths experiencing specific psychosocial stressors was higher in the MD than in the TD group. In particular, the proportion of youths indicating changes at home or at school, experiences of violence, delinquent behavior, as well as the proportion of youths who were exposed to sociodemographic stressors was higher in the MD than in the TD group. Moreover, the percentage of youths with a family history of an affective disorder, or whose mothers experienced psychological burdens during/after pregnancy was elevated in the MD group. Youths with MD experienced less social support and a less positive family climate than their TD peers. These factors, however, did not buffer the influence of specific stressors on MD.

Conclusion

We could show that next to more severe adverse life events, more common psychosocial stressors are linked to youth MD. Importantly, by identifying distinct stressors in youth MD, our results can increase treatment and prevention efforts aiming to improve the outcomes in youths affected by MD or in at-risk individuals.

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Title: Psychosocial stressors and protective factors for major depression in youth: evidence from a case–control study
Authors: Charlotte Elisabeth Piechaczek
Verena Pehl
Lisa Feldmann
Stefan Haberstroh
Antje-Kathrin Allgaier
Franz Joseph Freisleder
Gerd Schulte-Körne
Ellen Greimel
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Affective Disorder
Affective Disorder
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-020-0312-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Psychosocial stressors and protective factors for major depression in youth: evidence from a case–control study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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