Psychosocial risk factors associated with major depressive disorders among youth : a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Major depressive disorder is commonly found among youth aged 15 to 24 years, yet little is known about the psychosocial risk factors that are associated with the onset, recurrence and chronic/severity level of depression among youth. This study aims to identify the most common psychosocial risk factors that are associated with the onset, recurrence and chronic/severity level of major depressive disorders among youth.

Method: A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the keywords (“psychosocial risk factors” AND (“Major Depressive Disorders”) AND “youth”). Retrieved articles were selected after examining the title and abstract with the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Quality assessment using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement checklist was conducted to evaluate the quality of the review articles.

Finding: Six psychosocial risk factors were identified to be associated with major depressive disorders among youth which include: (1) history of major depressive disorder and other psychopathology; (2) duration and number of depressive episodes; (3) familial history of past major depressive episodes; (4) interpersonal risk factors; (5) childhood adversities; and (6) life events.

Conclusion: In this review, possible psychosocial risk factors which are associated with major depressive disorders among youth were identified. However, as mentioned in the reviewed studies, there is a high comorbidity of depression with other psychopathology such as anxiety disorder; further research is needed to investigate how these identified psychosocial risk factors could further explain the onset, recurrence and chronic/severity level of major depressive disorder among youth.