P01-212 - Stressors and depression in children

Abstract

Objectives

Studies suggest that psychosocial events (stressors) may play a role in the precipitation of the episodes of Depression. Some individuals become upset by one episode. Others do not feel stress. Such trait affects their feelings.

Methods

Subjects are 108 children. They are 6-13 years old. The subjects completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Japanese-version. They also completed “the Depressive Trait Questionnaire”. It consists of the descriptions of 12 events. Subjects were asked how they concerned themselves about each event, if the events occurred. Subjects marked as follows; 0: not at all, 1: a little, 2: deeply and 3: overly.

Results

108 children completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); mean score: 8.56, standard deviation: 8.87. The scores of CES-D of these children ranged from 0 to 54. Children whose CES-D were 16 and more were supposed to be with depression. Factor analysis was performed on the 12 item scores of “the Depressive Trait Questionnaire”. The items which loaded Factor 1 represent anxiety for interpersonal relationship. The items which loaded Factor 2 and Factor 3 represent the image of loss and the emotion of anger respectively. Using logistic regression analysis, Anxiety subscale was significantly associated with depression (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.17-1.87).

Conclusions

Among children to age 13, high subscale score of Anxiety may increase odds of depression. Anxiety may lead children to depression. It is needed to help children deal with anxiety for interpersonal relationship.