Global prevalence of depression and elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shorey, Shefaly; Ng, Esperanza Debby; Wong, Celine H. J.

doi:10.1111/bjc.12333

Cited by 1,511Mental Health Treatment and AccessChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentTreatment of Major Depression

Global prevalence of depression and elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shorey, Shefaly, Ng, Esperanza Debby, Wong, Celine H. J.·2022·British Journal of Clinical Psychology

DOI 10.1111/bjc.12333

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a formative and turbulent phase where physiological, psychosocial, and cognitive changes leave adolescents vulnerable to psychological disorders. Given the lack of reviews that consolidate and compare worldwide prevalence of depression among adolescents, this review aims to examine the global prevalence of major depressive disorders, dysthymia, and elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Six databases were searched for studies published from 2001 to December 2020. Seventy-two studies were included. Subgroup analysis were performed for year of publication, geographical region, gender, and assessment tools used. RESULTS: The global point prevalence rate of elevated self-reported depressive symptoms from 2001 to 2020 was 34% (95% CI: 0.30-0.38). Point prevalence for major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia was 8% (95% CI: 0.02-0.13) and 4% (95% CI: 0.01-0.07), respectively. The pooled one-year prevalence and lifetime prevalence for MDD were 8% (95% CI: 0.05-0.12) and 19% (95% CI: 0.12-0.26). Point prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents increased from 24% (95% CI: 0.19-0.28) between 2001 and 2010 to 37% (95% CI: 0.32-0.42) between 2011 and 2020. The Middle East, Africa, and Asia have the highest prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms, and female adolescents were reported to have a higher prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms than male adolescents. CONCLUSION: Besides targeting those with existing clinical depression, research and policies should also focus on educational and supportive mitigation efforts to curb depressive symptoms among adolescents before escalation. The findings encourage future research to develop more gender-specific and culturally relevant intervention programmes. PRACTITIONER POINTS: 34% of adolescents globally, aged 10-19 years, are at risk of developing clinical depression, which exceeds the reported estimates of individuals aged 18 to 25 years. Practitioners are highly encouraged to prioritize depression screening and intervention implementation for individuals in this age group. Female adolescents and adolescents from Middle East, Africa, and Asia have the highest risk of developing depression. This urges practitioners and researchers to develop more gender-specific and culturally relevant intervention programmes.

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Women have higher prevalence rates of both depression and anxiety problems.
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Parental education level and adolescent depression: A multi-country meta-analysis
Xiang, Y., Cao, R., & Li, X. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.081 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Social media behaviors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A four-wave cohort study from age 10–16 years.
Steinsbekk, S., Nesi, J. L., & Wichstrøm, L. (2023) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2023.107859 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
“…in youth has increased (Keyes, Gary, O’Malley, Hamilton, & Schulenberg, 2019; Lebrun-Harris, Ghandour, Kogan, & Warren, 2022; Mojtabai, Olfson, & Han, 2016; Parodi et al., 2022; Platt, Bates, Jager, McLaughlin, & Keyes, 2021; Shorey, Ng, & Wong, 2022; Twenge, Cooper, Joiner, Duffy, & Binau, 2019).”
An updated account of overgeneral autobiographical memory in depression
Weiss-Cowie, S., Verhaeghen, P., & Duarte, A. (2023) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105157 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes: a scoping review
Gwyther, K., Pilkington, V., Bailey, A. P., Mountjoy, M. L., Bergeron, M. F., Rice, S., & Purcell, R. (2024) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2024-108244 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
“83 The upper end was also comparable to a pooled prevalence estimate for anxiety/depression case-ness (via cut-off points) in adult elite athletes (34%).”
Analyzing the psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 using item response theory in a Chinese adolescent population
Gao, X., & Liu, Z. (2024) · Annals of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12991-024-00492-3 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
“In addition, a meta-analysis has shown that the point prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents increased from 24% between 2001 and 2010 to 37% between 2011 and 2020 [8].”
Background
Atypical sensory processing in adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A comparative study
Fabio, R. A., Orsino, C., Lecciso, F., Levante, A., & Suriano, R. (2024) · Research in Developmental Disabilities · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104674 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Narrative Review
Saleem, N., Young, P., & Yousuf, S. (2024) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2023.0456 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Tracking the course of depressive and anxiety symptoms across adolescence (the CATS study): a population-based cohort study in Australia
Robson, E., Husin, H. M., Dashti, S. G., Vijayakumar, N., Moreno‐Betancur, M., Moran, P., Mundy, L. K., Patton, G. C., & Sawyer, S. M. (2024) · The Lancet Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(24)00361-4 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Corticosterone effects induced by stress and immunity and inflammation: mechanisms of communication
Xu, J., Wang, B., & Ao, H. (2025) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1448750 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
“Shorey S ’ s study shows that the global prevalence of self-reported depression is 34%, of which the incidence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD) is 8% and the lifetime prevalence is 19% (13).”
Prevalence of depressive disorder in the adult population of Latin America: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Errázuriz, A., Avello-Vega, D., Ramírez-Mahaluf, J. P., Torres, R., Crossley, N. A., Undurraga, E. A., & Jones, P. B. (2023) · The Lancet Regional Health - Americas · doi:10.1016/j.lana.2023.100587 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
“However, most research has been conducted in high-income countries, 19,21,24,25 resulting in a signi ﬁ cant gap in knowledge regarding depression, speci ﬁ cally in Latin America (LATAM), a region composed almost entirely of upper-middle-income countries.”
Background
Prefrontal cortex astroglia modulate anhedonia-like behavior
Codeluppi-Arrowsmith, S. A., Xu, M., Bansal, Y., Lepack, A. E., Duric, V., Chow, M., Muir, J., Bagot, R. C., Licznerski, P., Wilber, S. L., et al. (2023) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-023-02246-1 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Bioactive compounds from Chinese herbal plants for neurological health: mechanisms, pathways, and functional food applications
Wang, M., Wang, C., Kaiwei, Z., Ma, S., Sang, J.-J., & Shijie, X. (2025) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1537363 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
A bidirectional association between smartphone addiction and depression among college students: A cross-lagged panel model
Zhang, K., Guo, H., Wang, T., Zhang, J., Yuan, G., Ren, J., Zhang, X., Yang, H., Lu, X., Zhu, Z., et al. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1083856 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“A recent systematic review reported a global prevalence of depression among adolescents of 34% (95% CI: 30–38%), with a higher prevalence among females than males (8).”
Background
Depression and emotional eating in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Muha, J., Schumacher, A., Campisi, S. C., & Korczak, D. J. (2024) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2024.107511 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
“…studies were categorized as “ moderate-high ” when at least 30% of participants reached clinically significant symptom scores as this proportion is indicative of the global prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms in adolescents and is too great to be considered negligible (Shorey et al., 2022).”
Background
Nose‐to‐brain delivery of nanotherapeutics: Transport mechanisms and applications
Xu, K., Duan, S., Wang, W., Ouyang, Q., Qin, F., Guo, P., Hou, J., He, Z., Wei, W., & Qin, M. (2024) · Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology · doi:10.1002/wnan.1956 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Heterogeneity in the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety among adolescents: Results of latent profile analysis
Dai, Y., Ya, Z., Hu, K., Chen, J., Lu, S., Li, Q., & Xiao, J. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.065 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Identifying Internet addiction profiles among adolescents using latent profile analysis: Relations to aggression, depression, and anxiety
Wang, J., Chen, J., Wang, P., Zhang, S., Li, Q., Lu, S., & Xiao, J. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.082 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Prevalence, severity and risk factors for mental disorders among sexual and gender minority young people: a systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
O’Shea, J., Jenkins, R., Nicholls, D., Downs, J. L., & Hudson, L. D. (2024) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-024-02552-1 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Microglial PCGF1 alleviates neuroinflammation associated depressive behavior in adolescent mice
Li, N., Du, J., Yang, Y., Zhao, T., Wu, D., Peng, F., Wang, D., Kong, L., Zhou, W., & Hao, A. (2024) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-024-02714-2 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Global, regional, and national incidence trends of depressive disorder, 1990–2019: An age-period-cohort analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study
Xu, Y. J., Li, R., Hu, C., He, Y., Zhang, X., & Li-na, J. (2024) · General Hospital Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2024.03.003 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
A systematic mapping review of the evolution of the rat Forced Swim Test: Protocols and outcome parameters
Brandwein, C., Leenaars, C. H. C., Becker, L., Pfeiffer, N., Iorgu, A.-M., Hahn, M., Vairani, G. A., Lewejohann, L., Bleich, A., Mallien, A. S., et al. (2023) · Pharmacological Research · doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106917 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
The Future Proofing Study: Design, methods and baseline characteristics of a prospective cohort study of the mental health of Australian adolescents
Werner‐Seidler, A., Maston, K., Calear, A. L., Batterham, P. J., Larsen, M. E., Torok, M., O’Dea, B., Huckvale, K., Beames, J. R., Brown, L., et al. (2023) · International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1002/mpr.1954 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Nature-Based Meditation, Rumination and Mental Wellbeing
Owens, M., & Bunce, H. L. I. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19159118 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“In addition, common mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety may have been rising over the past decade [9], despite the efforts of evidencebased treatments [10].”
Background
The association between family cohesion and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Bian, Y., Jin, K., & Zhang, Y. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.138 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Relationship between human oral microbiome dysbiosis and neuropsychiatric diseases: An updated overview
Tao, K., Yuan, Y., Xie, Q., & Dong, Z. (2024) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115111 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
While they wait: a cross-sectional survey on wait times for mental health treatment for anxiety and depression for adolescents in Australia
Subotic-Kerry, M., Borchard, T., Parker, B., Li, S. H., Choi, J., Long, E. V., Batterham, P. J., Whitton, A. E., Gokiert, A., Spencer, L., et al. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087342 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
A Neuroecosocial Perspective on Adolescent Development
Choudhury, S., Pi‐Sunyer, B. P., & Blakemore, S. (2023) · Annual Review of Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-devpsych-120321-011511 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Depressive symptoms and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older people in China and associations with chronic diseases
Zhu, L., Wang, Y., Li, J., Zhou, H., Li, N., & Wang, Y. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1381273 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Antibiotic use and the development of depression: A systematic review
Pouranayatihosseinabad, M., Bezabih, Y. M., Hawrelak, J. A., Peterson, G. M., Veal, F. C., & Mirkazemi, C. (2022) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111113 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Social media use as a coping mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multidimensional perspective on adolescents' well-being
Maftei, A., Merlici, I.-A., & Dănilă, O. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1062688 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Ketamine – A New Antidepressant Drug with Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Jóźwiak-Bębenista, M., Sokołowska, P., Wiktorowska‐Owczarek, A., Kowalczyk, E., & Sienkiewicz, M. (2023) · Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · doi:10.1124/jpet.123.001823 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Gender Difference in the Onset of Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis
Liu, S., Ren, H., Li, Y., Liu, Y., Fu, S., & Han, Z. R. (2024) · Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology · doi:10.1007/s10802-024-01235-4 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“Considering the increasing occurrence of depressive symptoms in teenagers (Graber, 2013 ; Shorey et al., 2022 ), it is essential to unravel the development of depressive symptoms in population-based adolescents.”
Profiles and Transitions of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescent Boys and Girls: Predictive Role of Bullying Victimization
Liang, Y., Chen, J., Xiong, Y., Wang, Q., & Ren, P. (2023) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-023-01779-6 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“0% (Shorey et al., 2022), and the prevalence among Chinese adolescents is 24.”
Background
Mechanistic insights into the role of plant polyphenols and their nano-formulations in the management of depression
Kabra, A., Garg, R., Brimson, J. M., Živković, J., Almawash, S., Ayaz, M., Nawaz, A., Hassan, S. S. U., & BUNGAU, S. G. (2022) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1046599 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Among adolescents, the point prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms increased from 24% (between 2001 and 2010) to 37% (between 2011 and 2020) (Shorey et al., 2022).”
Background
Longitudinal associations between family conflict, intergenerational transmission, and adolescents’ depressive symptoms: evidence from China Family Panel studies (2016–2020)
Jin, Y., Liu, J., Li, P., Yun-quan, H., Hong, X., Li, X., Teng, Y., Huang, M., & Wang, Y. (2025) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health · doi:10.1186/s13034-025-00866-9 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Adolescent depression is a global public health concern with increased prevalence, which increased from 24% during the period from 2001 to 2010 to 37% between 2011 and 2020 globally [1, 2].”
Epidemiology of depressive disorders among youth during Gaokao to college in China: results from Hunan Normal University mental health survey
Yang, W., Sun, R., Wang, C., Chen, J., Zhang, C., Yu, J., & Liu, H. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04972-w · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“In addition, the lifetime prevalence rate of MDD in the sample is similar to that in previous surveys among college students in China [16, 91].”
BackgroundInfluential
Reciprocal developmental pathways between future-related thinking and symptoms of adolescent depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.
Tang, P., Kostyrka‐Allchorne, K., Butura, A.-M., Phillips, J., & Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S. (2024) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102465 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
A national evaluation of a multi‐modal, blended, digital intervention integrated within Australian youth mental health services
Álvarez‐Jiménez, M., Nicholas, J., Valentine, L., Liu, P., Mangelsdorf, S. N., Baker, S., Gilbertson, T., O'Loughlin, G., McEnery, C., McGorry, P. D., et al. (2024) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/acps.13751 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Early Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined With Sertraline in Adolescents With First-Episode Major Depressive Disorder
Chen, H., Hu, X., Gao, J., Han, H., Wang, X., & Xue, C. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.853961 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
The lived experience of adolescent depression: A systematic review and meta‐aggregation
Twivy, E., Kirkham, M., & Cooper, M. J. (2023) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2834 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Comorbidity among symptoms of internet gaming disorder, social withdrawal, and depression in 3430 young people in Hong Kong: A network analysis
Fong, T. C. T., Junus, A., Wen, M., & YIP, P. S. F. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.091 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Depressive Symptoms Among Higher Education Students in Germany—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Heumann, E., Siebe, A. V. P., Stock, C., & Heinrichs, K. (2024) · Public health reviews · doi:10.3389/phrs.2024.1606983 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool is commonly utilized for evaluating the quality of prevalence studies [34, 35], and its use has been recently recommended following a systematic review of quality assessment tools [36].”
Method
Blood cytokines in major depressive disorder in drug-naïve adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Jadhav, K. K., Daouk, J., Kurkinen, K., Kraav, S., Eriksson, P., Tolmunen, T., & Kanninen, K. M. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.11.071 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
The Relationship Between College Students’ Interpersonal Relationship and Mental Health: Multiple Mediating Effect of Safety Awareness and College Planning
Sun, Y. (2023) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s396301 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Effect of psychosocial interventions for depression in adults with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yang, H., Li, Q., & Pei, D. (2024) · BMC Nephrology · doi:10.1186/s12882-023-03447-0 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“…techniques, exercise, education, or individual social support including by telephone, are defined as interventions that can provide psychological, emotional, or social support without using pharmacological substances and have been demonstrated to be effective for people with depression [52].”
Background
The Burden of adolescent depression and the impact of COVID-19 across 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021: results from the 2021 global burden of disease study
Zhu, F., Yang, Y. X., Yin, T., Pan, M., Xu, J., Chen, R., Zheng, W., & Gu, F. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-84843-w · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Internet gaming disorder and depression mediated by impaired resilience and sleep distress: a three-wave longitudinal study among Chinese adolescents
Peng, P., Chen, Z., Ren, S., Hé, Y., Li, J. G., Liao, A., Zhao, L. L., Shao, X., Chen, S. S., He, R., et al. (2025) · Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences · doi:10.1017/s2045796025000046 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Adolescent Social Media Use: Pitfalls and Promises in Relation to Cybervictimization, Friend Support, and Depressive Symptoms
Fredrick, S. S., Nickerson, A. B., & Livingston, J. A. (2022) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-021-01561-6 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
The Role of Emotional Skills (Competence) and Coping Strategies in Adolescent Depression
Vučenović, D., Sipek, G., & Jelić, K. (2023) · European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education · doi:10.3390/ejihpe13030041 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“The global prevalence rate of self-reported depressive symptoms among adolescents increased from 24% to 37% in 2001-2010 [33], and recent data suggest another decline in their general resilience and coping abilities.”
Background
Borderline Personality as a Factor in Late, Missed, and Mis-Diagnosis in Autistic Girls and Women: A Conceptual Analysis
McQuaid, G. A., Strang, J. F., & Jack, A. (2024) · Autism in Adulthood · doi:10.1089/aut.2023.0034 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines with mental health problems among Chinese adolescents
Zhang, Y., Pan, Y., Ma, Z., Wang, D., Zou, R., & Fan, F. (2023) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111352 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Multicenter Study of Utility and Acceptability of Depression and Anxiety Screening in Adolescents and Young Adults With Childhood‐Onset Systemic Lupus
Rubinstein, T. B., Dionizovik-Dimanovski, M., Davis, A. M., Smith, C. A., Faust, L., Rutstein, B. H., Mitchell, M., Jones, J. T., Harris, J. G., Rodriguez, M. M., et al. (2021) · Arthritis Care & Research · doi:10.1002/acr.24825 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Age, median (IQR) years 17 (15–19) Sex Female 94 (89) Male 12 (11) Race and ethnicity Black, non-Hispanic 40 (38) Hispanic 32 (30) White, non-Hispanic 24 (23) Asian 10 (9) Annual household income <$15,000 16 (15) $15,000–50,000 14 (13) $50,000–100,000 15 (14) >$100,000 12 (11) Deferred or unknown 49 (46) Median househ…”
Background
Global, regional, and national trends in incidence of depression among women, 1990-2019: An analysis of the global burden of disease study
Gao, P., Cao, G., Liu, J., Yang, F., & Liu, M. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115668 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Problematic social media use mediates the effect of cyberbullying victimisation on psychosomatic complaints in adolescents
Peprah, P., Oduro, M. S., Atta-Osei, G., Addo, I. Y., Morgan, A. K., & Gyasi, R. M. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59509-2 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Assessing the impact of physical activity on reducing depressive symptoms: a rapid review
Samsudin, N., Bailey, R. P., Ríes, F., Hashim, S. N. A., & Fernandez, J. A. (2024) · BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1186/s13102-024-00895-5 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“These findings align with other research conducted on adolescents in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, suggesting the presence of a potential crisis in adolescent mental health [13].”
Result
Prevalence and Determinants of Depressive Symptoms among Young Adolescents in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Singh, S., Lai, C. H., Iderus, N. H. M., Ghazali, S. M., Ahmad, L. C. R. Q., Lim, M. C., Nadzri, M. N. M., Zulkifli, A. A., Suppiah, J., Zaki, R. A., et al. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10010141 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Furthermore, depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among adolescents residing in LMICs in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia regions [9].”
Background
Association between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A prospective cohort study
Jiang, W., Sun, L., He, Y., Liu, W., Hua, Y., Zheng, X., Huang, C., Liu, Q., Xiong, L., & Guo, L. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115544 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Analysis of the associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and screen time on psychological symptoms among university students: a cross-sectional survey based on six geographic regions in China
Deng, G.-F., Wen, Y., Cheng, J., Huang, B., & Liu, N. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05945-3 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“%) than male students (14.7%), a result that is lower than the global study of 34% detection rate of psychological symptoms [38].”
BackgroundInfluential
Health survey on anxiety, depression, and stress in Afghanistan: A large-scale cross-sectional study amid ongoing challenges
Neyazi, A., Mohammadi, A. Q., Razaqi, N., Rahimi, B. A., Sifat, S., Rahimy, N., Tareen, Z., Mehmood, Q., Satapathy, P., & Griffiths, M. D. (2024) · Discover Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s44192-024-00090-5 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Importantly, extant literature has consistently corroborated the significant impact of depression on these specific demographic factors, as evidenced by prior studies [48–51], further affirming the robustness of the present study’s findings.”
Result
The central mediating effect of inhibitory control and negative emotion on the relationship between bullying victimization and social network site addiction in adolescents
Wang, J., Wang, N., Qi, T., Liu, Y., & Guo, Z. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1520404 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide Among Adolescents: Sex Differences and Future Perspectives
Toro, G., Arias, P., de la Torre-Luque, A., Singer, J. B., & Lagunas, N. (2025) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm14103446 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Depressive symptoms were more prevalent among female adolescents than male adolescents [24].”
The Associations between Meeting 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24-HMG) and Mental Health in Adolescents—Cross Sectional Evidence from China
Luo, L., Zeng, X., Cao, Y., Hu, Y., Wen, S., Tang, K., Ding, L., Wang, X., & Song, N. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20043167 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Thus, adolescents who have adequate physical activity time, less screen time and adequate sleep time may have better mental health and be less likely to experience anxiety and depressive symptoms [12].”
Family Functioning, Maternal Depression, and Adolescent Cognitive Flexibility and Its Associations with Adolescent Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study
Urbańska-Grosz, J., Sitek, E. J., Pakalska−Korcala, A., Pietraszczyk-Kędziora, B., Skwarska, K., & Walkiewicz, M. (2024) · Children · doi:10.3390/children11010131 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
The relationship between socioeconomic status and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
ZHANG, Y., ZHANG, J., Hongxia, L. I., & JIANG, Y. (2022) · Advances in Psychological Science · doi:10.3724/sp.j.1042.2022.02650 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
The dark triad and depressive symptoms among chinese adolescents: moderated mediation models of age and emotion regulation strategies
Shen, K. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-04132-5 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Yet, female adolescents often reported more symptoms of depression than males (Granrud et al., 2019 ; Shorey et al., 2021).”
Background
Neuroinflammation in the Amygdala Is Associated With Recent Depressive Symptoms
Zhang, W., Rutlin, J. R., Eisenstein, S. A., Wang, Y., Barch, D. M., Hershey, T. G., Bogdan, R., & Bijsterbosch, J. D. (2023) · Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.04.011 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.04.011 Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a worldwide health issue with profound emotional, cognitive, and economic consequences (1,2).”
Influential
The direction of effects between parenting and adolescent affective well-being in everyday life is family specific
Boele, S., Bülow, A., Beltz, A. M., de Haan, A. D., Denissen, J. J. A., & Keijsers, L. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-43294-5 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Thus, to promote the well-being of adolescents 25 , there is an urgent need to gain empirical insights into how parents and adolescents impact each other within individual families.”
Background
Converged avenues: depression and Alzheimer’s disease– shared pathophysiology and novel therapeutics
Bajaj, S., & Mahesh, R. (2024) · Molecular Biology Reports · doi:10.1007/s11033-023-09170-1 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Short-Form Video Addiction and Adolescent Depression: The Mediating Role of Attentional Bias
Wu, Y., Bai, Y.-L., Liu, X., Xu, W., & Liu, Y. (2025) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2024.0442 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Emerging strategies and clinical recommendations for the management of novel depression subtypes
Chiappini, S., Sampogna, G., Ventriglio, A., Menculini, G., Ricci, V., Pettorruso, M., Volpe, U., & Martinotti, G. (2025) · Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics · doi:10.1080/14737175.2025.2470973 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“%) among adolescents is rising, with depressive symptoms increasing from 24% (2001–2010) to 37% (2011–2020), reaching 45% in 2021 [17], exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic ([14,15,18].”
Social jetlag and depressive symptoms among young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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Authors: Shorey, S., Ng, E. D., & Wong, C. H. J.
Affiliations: National University of Singapore (SG)
National University Hospital (SG)
Corresponding author: Shorey, Shefaly
ORCID: Shorey, Shefaly
Ng, Esperanza Debby
Venue: British Journal of Clinical Psychology
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2021-09-26
Volume: 61
Issue: 2
Pages: 287-305
ISSN: 0144-6657 (ISSN-L)
2044-8260
DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12333
OpenAlex: W3203726726
Cited by: 1,511
References: 62
Citations by year: 2026: 389 · 2025: 530 · 2024: 370 · 2023: 178 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 23.13
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: British Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords: adolescent depression, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, global prevalence, lifetime prevalence, point prevalence, gender differences, regional variation, temporal trends, depression screening, culturally sensitive interventions, mental health policy, adolescent mental health services, school-based mental health services, community mental health services
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Prevalence

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Global prevalence of depression and elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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