Increasing contrasts in young people's mental wellbeing: Study

More teenagers report good mental health but those who are struggling rate their depressive symptoms much higher than prior cohorts did at the same age according to a study from the University of GothenburgThe study examined changes in how young teenagers in Sweden rated their depressive symptoms over two decadesResearchers compared two groups of 1316yearolds one from 2004 and one from 20192020 Both groups rated their depressive symptoms using the internationally established Childrens Depression Inventory CDI a selfreport assessmentThe results show that the overall proportion of adolescents reporting depressive symptoms increased from 21 percent in 2004 to 29 percent in 20192020an increase that is not considered dramatic in this contextHowever a key shift is evident more adolescents than before report feeling extremely well In the 20192020 group 33 percent had very low CDI scores indicating strong mental wellbeing compared to just 15 percent in 2004At the same time those who are struggling report feeling significantly worse than before Adolescents with depressive symptoms in 20192020 rated themselves higher on selfdeprecating and negative thoughts compared to their counterparts in 2004Those who report high levels of depressive symptoms today rate themselves significantly higher than those in previous cohorts We also see notable increases in certain areas particularly selfdeprecationsomething that primarily affects young women says Carl Wikberg district nurse and adjunct senior lecturer in community medicine and public health at Sahlgrenska Academy University of GothenburgThe CDI assessment measures various aspects of mental wellbeing including negative mood selfesteem ineffectiveness and interpersonal problems In the 20192020 group three statements stood out among those reporting depressive symptoms Nothing is fun at all I am bad all the time and I can never be as good as other kids The fact that some young people report strong selfloathing is concerning and can make us feel despair However there is also hope we are seeing a larger proportion of adolescents at the very lowest end of the scale meaning their mental wellbeing has improved So the trend is not entirely negative said WikbergWhile the study does not provide definitive answers as to why these changes are occurring the researchers highlight the role of evolving public discourse on mental health A more open attitude toward mental health issues and treatment may influence how young people describe their wellbeing in selfreport assessmentsAt the same time the study underscores the importance of school health services and primary care in identifying adolescents with high CDI scores Screening tools like CDI create opportunities to detect and support those in need The study included 617 adolescents aged 1316 from 20192020 as part of a larger research project on depression The comparison group consisted of 80 adolescents of the same age from 2004 who participated in a CDI validation study in a Swedish contextThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever