Depression and Related Factors for Adolescents

청소년기 우울 성향과 관련된 요인

Background: Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. We have to pay attention to their psycho-social problems as well as their physical symptoms. In this context, we need to investigate the adolescent depression tendency and its related factors. Method : From May to June in 1008, we chose one elementary school, one middle school and one high school in Seoul and surveyed for all students who were above the 4th grade of elementary school and their parents. We analyzed the data for 3,685 students. Result: From the 6th grade of elementary school to the 1st grade of high school, the girls' DSRS(Depression self-rating scale) score was significantly higher than the boys'. The DSRS score was increased from the 2nd grade of high school for boys and from the 1st grade of high school for girls. The Pearson correlation coefficient between age and DSRS score was 0.16(p<0.01) and that between APGAR and DSRS score was -0.45(p<0.01). The median number of psychosomatic symptoms of the past month was 6, and when students complained for more psychosomatic symptoms, the DSRS scores were higher. Those who drank or smoked ranked significantly higher in DSRS score; and, those who exercised regularly, had leisure activity, and had a faithful person for counselling ranked significantly lower in DSRS score. Conclusion : Adolescents who complained of many psychosomatic symptoms needed to be screened for depression. A primary physician have to intervene about health related behavior such as family function, smoking, exercise and relieving stress.