Self-assessed depressive symptoms in adolescents comparing two Swedish cohorts born 15 years apart

Abstract

Background

Depression in adolescence is a significant global health concern, notably in Sweden where recent trends suggest an increase in depressive symptoms among adolescents. This study aims to explore changes in the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms among Swedish high school students over the past two decades, utilizing the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).

Method

A cohort study was conducted with two adolescent groups aged 13–16 years old, born nearly twenty years apart. The first cohort (n = 80), recruited in 2004, and the second (n = 617), recruited between 2019 and 2020, were both assessed using the CDI. The study employed a comparative analysis, using independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and the Mann-Whitney U test for item-specific comparisons.

Results

The analysis revealed no significant differences in total CDI scores between the 2004 and 2019/20 cohorts. However, the later cohort exhibited higher scores on three CDI items ("Nothing is fun at all," "I am bad all the time," "I can never be as good as other kids") and in the sub-domain of self-deprecation. Sex differences were observed, with girls scoring higher than boys in both cohorts.

Conclusion

There is no statistically significant increase in self-assessed levels of depressive symptoms among adolescents when comparing the 2004 and 2019–20 cohorts. However, there are higher scores in specific areas of the CDI in the later cohort, particularly among young women. This study underscores the need for continuous, structured assessments of adolescent mental health, considering societal changes and trends.