National Assessment of Depression Between Early vs Late Adolescents Using National Survey of Child Health Survey
Author(s)
Ansh Kulkarni1, Sohah Kulkarni, Other2, Aunovro Hrid Sen, Other3, Rajesh Balkrishnan, PhD4.
1The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA, 2Princeton Day School, Princeton, NJ, USA, 3Rutgers Prep, Somerset, NJ, USA, 4University of Virginia, Charlottesville, NJ, USA.
1The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA, 2Princeton Day School, Princeton, NJ, USA, 3Rutgers Prep, Somerset, NJ, USA, 4University of Virginia, Charlottesville, NJ, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Depression remains a major mental health concern among children in their adolescence years which may have a long-term impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing. This study assessed the national prevalence of depression across adolescent using a national survey.
METHODS: To assess the rates of Adolescence depression in the United States, The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) survey data from 2019 to 2023 was used. NSCH is funded and directed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. A depression related question from the topical questionnaires was utilized to identify the rates of depression for Adolescent. Appropriates sampling weights were used to derive national estimates. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the rates and demographic characteristics of adolescent depression.
RESULTS: Depression rates were estimated from age 10 through 17 years. A total of 11,661 children diagnosed with depression (40% Male vs 60% Female) were included. The rate of depression increased significantly with increasing age. Among late adolescents (15 - 17) depression rates were much higher (55.96% vs 43.99%) as compared to early adolescents (10 - 14). Furthermore, when depression rates were compared with exposure to screen time on electronic devices (TV, computers or cellphones) late adolescents had significantly higher exposure to screen time (≥4 hr.) as compared to early adolescents (47.0% vs 57.2%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Depression rates remain significantly higher among late adolescent children who are also more likely to have higher screen time. Early preventive strategies including limited screen time may offer benefit in adolescent depression.
METHODS: To assess the rates of Adolescence depression in the United States, The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) survey data from 2019 to 2023 was used. NSCH is funded and directed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. A depression related question from the topical questionnaires was utilized to identify the rates of depression for Adolescent. Appropriates sampling weights were used to derive national estimates. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the rates and demographic characteristics of adolescent depression.
RESULTS: Depression rates were estimated from age 10 through 17 years. A total of 11,661 children diagnosed with depression (40% Male vs 60% Female) were included. The rate of depression increased significantly with increasing age. Among late adolescents (15 - 17) depression rates were much higher (55.96% vs 43.99%) as compared to early adolescents (10 - 14). Furthermore, when depression rates were compared with exposure to screen time on electronic devices (TV, computers or cellphones) late adolescents had significantly higher exposure to screen time (≥4 hr.) as compared to early adolescents (47.0% vs 57.2%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Depression rates remain significantly higher among late adolescent children who are also more likely to have higher screen time. Early preventive strategies including limited screen time may offer benefit in adolescent depression.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH158
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
SDC: Mental Health (including addition)