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

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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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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
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: Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › 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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