Risk factors identified in middle school children reporting depression on a school based survey


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

5062.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 8:45 AM

Abstract #111948

Enke Myagmarjav, MPH¹, Karen Ann Hacker, MD, MPH¹, Lise E. Fried, MS¹, Howard J. Cabral, PhD², and Robert G. Ziegler, MD³. (1) Institute for Community Health, 119 Windsor Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617-665-3845, emyagmarjav@challiance.org, (2) Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St, Talbot Bldg, Boston, MA 02118, (3) Child Psychiatry Outpatient, Cambridge Health Alliance, TCH-Macht Flr:3 Rm:327, Cambridge, MA 02139

The prevalence rate of dysthymia and major depression has been reported at 6.1% and 4% in the school age population. Since depression can affect school performance, use of substances, conduct and issues of aggression, public health efforts to screen and develop preventive strategies are important.

Using the data from Cambridge middle school survey for 6-8 graders between 2000 and 2003, this study assessed the relationship between the variety of risk factors for students who reported experiencing depression “often or all the time” (9%) compared to those who reported depression “never or once in a while” (91%). Physically hurting themselves on purpose (odds ratio (OR)=3.3), seriously considering suicide (OR=4.3), living with a smoker (OR=1.7) were associated with more frequent depression.

To understand the relationship of risk factors to depression, two scales were constructed: 1. a personal adversity scale (PAS) using a set of risk variables pertinent to personal events, such as history of physical and sexual abuse, and 2. a socioeconomic adversity scale (SAS) that used risk variables including homelessness, being hungry etc. In a final logistic regression model, the risk of depression was three times higher per unit increase on the PAS (OR=3.2). A one unit increase on the SAS (OR=1.4) was not associated with a noteworthy increase in risk for depression.

This study shows that in a self-reported survey of children, personal risk factors increase the risk of more frequent depression. When risk factors are noted in school children, they should be promptly identified for intervention.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of presentation, participant will learn that

1. School health surveys can be used as a screening tool for depression among middle school students
2. Risk variables pertinent to personal events such as history of physical and sexual abuse are significant contributor in reporting the depression
3. The presence of risk factors is an interesting finding that warrants further investigation

Keywords: School Health, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA