Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents Prevalence and Associated Psychosocial Features in a Representative Sample

Background: In this study, we determined the current prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents in Germany. Methods: A sample of 1001 adolescents aged 12 to 17 that was representative for Germany was surveyed in August and September 2017 through telephone interviews about depressive symptoms in the two weeks leading up to the interview and about the subjects' psychosocial features. The instrument that was used, called DesTeen, includes questions about depressed mood, loss of interest, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, guilt feelings, and cognitive symptoms. Results: Prevalences could be estimated and associated factors could be determined in a subset comprising 988 of the original 1001 subjects (mean age 14.58 years, 48.4% female). The estimated point prevalence of depressive symptoms (summated DesTeen score >= 14) in adolescents aged 12 to 17 was 8.2% (95% confidence interval [6.5; 9.9]). Girls (11.6% [95% CI 8.8; 14.4]) were more commonly affected than boys (5.0% [95% CI 3.1; 6.9]), and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Depressive symptoms were more common with female sex, older age, poorer scholastic performance, lower interpersonal trust, more negative body image, more problematic use of social media or computer games, and lower family functioning. A multivariable regression model explained approximately one-third of the variation among groups (Nagelkerke's R-2 = 0.35). Conclusion: A substantial percentage of German adolescents suffers from depressive symptoms. This study was the first to show certain associations, such as that between depressive symptoms in adolescence and the problematic use of social media in German youth.