The U.S. Surgeon General estimates 5.3 percent of adolescents meet the criteria for a major depressive disorder. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of teens will have symptoms of a major depressive episode at some time before age 21. The impact of teen depression is its effect on educational goals, the stunting of social relationships and the development of other, physical illnesses. But the most devastating effect is the death of 4,200 teens each year, by suicide.
Effects on Education
The primary task of adolescents in the 21st century is to complete education and pursue a career. The first step in that process is high school completion and depression decreases the chance that that milestone will be reached.
University of Montreal Doctoral candidate Cintia Quiroga researched the effect of depression on high school attrition and found that "When adjusting for socioeconomic factors, a depressed student is 1.66 times more likely to drop out than a non-depressive student in the same socioeconomic bracket. The higher the feelings of depression, the higher the risk of dropping out."
Although her study size was small, the results were unexpected. Males typically drop out at a higher rate than girls but girls with depression represented the highest rate of attrition.
A college graduate in the U.S. can expect to earn $1 million more in a lifetime than a person who does not earn a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Dropping out at any step of the high school or college path can represent a large financial burden to the person and their family. Wayne Dixon, Ph.D. and Jon K. Reid in 2003 wrote in the "American Journal of Counseling and Development: that "College students are twice as likely to have clinical depression compared to people of similar ages and backgrounds in the workforce" and set the incidence of a major depressive episode during college at 34 percent. One theory is that students have grown up in an era that says "You can do anything and you can be anything." When, at college they confront the reality of their own limitations hopelessness, helplessness and futility take hold.
In fact, many subjects that are hard for 18-year-olds come easily after a few more years of brain growth. Achieving a professional degree is not possible or even advisable for every college student but engaging in work that is your passion; something where your hard work can result in achievement lowers the risk of depression, and increases the chance of successful college graduation, according to researchers writing in the May 1996 issue of the "Journal of College Student Development."
Effects on Relationships
Depression turns the focus of interest inward; blocking the ability to engage in the lives of others with interest. The years of adolescence are typically very social and depression can cause lost opportunities to form friendships, date, fall in love and maintain healthy family relationships. Conversely, some depressed teens frantically form romantic relationships in an attempt to find validation and understanding. This can result in premature marriage or pregnancy.
Physical Effects of Depression
Depressed adolescents are at increased risk for the development and persistence of obesity during adolescence, according to a study published in the September 2002 issue of "Pediatrics."
In addition, depression decreases the effectiveness of the immune system, which can make the individual more susceptible to cancer, auto immune disease and infection.
References
- U.S. Surgeon General: Depression and Suicide in Children and Adolescents; 2004
- Universitie de Montreal; campus web site; Depression Contributes to School Drop Out; 2010
- "Journal of Counseling and Development"; "Positive Life Events as a Moderator of Stress-Related Depressive Symptoms"; Wayne Dixon and Jon Reid; July 2000
- "Journal of College Student Development";The effects of depressed mood on academic performance"; M.E. Haines, M.P. Norris, & D.A. Kashy; May 1996
- "Pediatrics"; A Prospective Study of the Role of Depression in the Development and Persistence of Adolescent Obesity; Elizabeth Goodman, MD*,, Robert C. Whitaker, MD, MPH; Sept. 2, 2002
