All issues > Volume 43(2); 2000

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2000;43(2):172-178. Published online February 15, 2000.

Adolescent Depression in a Provincial City

Ki Young KY Ryoo¹, Young Kyu YK Shin¹, Baik Lin BL Eun¹, Sang Hee SH Park¹, Young Chang YC Tocko¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: Most studies of depression in adolescents, have been conducted in western countries. Accordingly, we took a survey in the city of Ansan to discover the actual state of depression in adolescents and found a solution.
Methods
: Twelve questions of modified diagnostic criteria for DSM-Ⅳ(Diagonstic and Statistical Mannual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed.) major depressive disorder were filled out by 1,158 middle and high school students in Asan. The diagnosis of depression was made when more than six of 12 items were positive and the diagnosis of depressed mood, irritable mood, or loss of interest or pleasure was made when at least one of them was positive.
Results
: There were 71 students(6.2%) who had major depression. Depressed mood was highly prevalent among Ansan teenagers(12.3%). Girls showed(20.8%) more symptoms than boys(16.7%). One hundred-five students(9.1%) thought seriously about attempting suicide.
Conclusion
: Depression and depressed moods are more highly prevalent among Ansan adolescents than American adolescents. So we point to the importance of broad screening of depression in this vulnerable population.

Keywords :Adolescents, Depression, Suicide