J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2000 Feb;43(2):172-178.

Adolescent Depression in a Provincial City

• Ryoo KY
• Shin YK
• Eun BL
• Park SH
• Tocko YC

Abstract

PURPOSE: Most studies of depression in adolescents, have been conducted in western countries. Accordingly, we took a survey in the city of Ansan to discover the actual state of depression in adolescents and found a solution.
METHODS
Twelve questions of modified diagnostic criteria for DSM-IV(Diagonstic and Statistical Mannual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed.) major depressive disorder were filled out by 1,158 middle and high school students in Asan. The diagnosis of depression was made when more than six of 12 items were positive and the diagnosis of depressed mood, irritable mood, or loss of interest or pleasure was made when at least one of them was positive.
RESULTS
There were 71 students(6.2%) who had major depression. Depressed mood was highly prevalent among Ansan teenagers(12.3%). Girls showed(20.8%) more symptoms than boys(16.7%). One hundred-five students(9.1%) thought seriously about attempting suicide.
CONCLUSION
Depression and depressed moods are more highly prevalent among Ansan adolescents than American adolescents. So we point to the importance of broad screening of depression in this vulnerable population.

Keyword

Adolescents; Depression; Suicide

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Chungcheongnam-do
Depression*
Depressive Disorder, Major
Diagnosis
Female
Gyeonggi-do
Humans
Irritable Mood
Mass Screening
Mental Disorders
Pleasure
Suicide
Vulnerable Populations