Depression in Adolescent Students, Tabriz, Iran, 2001.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Depression is the most common mental disorder and is a serious health problem in the world. It is called as a common cold, since it is prevailing. The human being is effected by depression. In adolescent’s, depression causes social withdrawal, academic fall, substance abuse, eating disorder, psychomotor retardation, worthlessness, sleep disturbances, feelings of guilt, truancy, robbery and suicide. Early diagnosis of depression is life saving and nurses have an important role in this issue. Methods & Materials: This descriptive study was concerned to examine depression in adolescent’s and effect of related factors. The target population consisted of student’s in age 13 to 18 of Tabriz high schools. Data was gathered from 903 adolescent’s students, including 455 boys and 448 girls who were selected by multi- stage cluster sampling. The data were collected by using questionnaire consists of center for epidemiological studies depression scale for children (CES- DC) and demographic data. Data analyzed by chi- square, variances analysis and sheffe tests. Results: The results showed that depression among girls is more common than boys. The nature of the ongoing relationships especially with parents, history of psychiatric illness, chronic illness in the family, life events and socioeconomic status were connected with depression. Conclusion: The conclusion to be drown this study is that depression is common event among adolescents. The results showed correlation between depression and some of demographic variables. It is necessary that all parents and school staff to obtain information about predisposing factors and related behaviors for becoming at risk of depression. Nurses have a critical role for providing information helping people to reduce risk factors and early diagnose of depression in adolescents.