Social determinants of adolescent depression
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/1/3/79130028/depression-mind-map_2.png?532)
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The image on the left shows what I believe to be many of the causes of adolescent depression. The dark blue causes, directly related to the main problem of depression, on the inside are the downstream determinants and the dark blue causes around the outside are the upstream determinants I speak about in the written section below. The other causes through the middle are the mid stream determinants.
The image on the left shows what I believe to be many of the causes of adolescent depression. The dark blue causes, directly related to the main problem of depression, on the inside are the downstream determinants and the dark blue causes around the outside are the upstream determinants I speak about in the written section below. The other causes through the middle are the mid stream determinants.
Early Years of life
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/1/3/79130028/effects-child-abuse1.jpg?242)
Early childhood development is fundamental to health, success and happiness throughout the rest of an individual’s life. Adverse childhood experiences have been shown to impact a whole range of health and behavioural problems in adulthood (Allen, 2011). However, as of August 2015, almost 113,000 adolescents within Australia (2.8%) were assessed as having major depressive disorder in the previous 12 months (Australian Government, 2015). This is a shocking number considering the importance of this time in a person’s life. Data from the Ontario Child Health Study in 2012 showed that childhood abuse had an extremely strong connection to depression in adulthood. Other strong factors included parental mental health and family functioning (Gonzalez et al. of McMaster University, 2012). There are several other factors associated with a person’s childhood which can contribute to this disorder later in life.
Self-esteem is an individual’s own opinion of themselves. A low self-esteem can reduce the quality of life in many different ways. There can be lots of aspects of a person’s life that negatively influences their self-esteem; many of which come from their childhood. Any form of childhood abuse will have a huge impact on the rest of that child’s life. Depression is one of the most commonly occurring consequences of past abuse or neglect (Kendall-Tackett, 2002). In an American representative study based on the National Co-morbidity Survey, adults who had experienced child abuse were two and a half times more likely to have major depression compared to adults who had not experienced abuse (Afifi et al., 2009). The likelihood of such consequences increased substantially if adults had experienced child abuse along with parental divorce (Afifi et al., 2009). For a person to receive the greatest childhood possible, they need constant interaction with both of their parents. The Australian Institute of Family Studies state that children who experience absence of a parent after separation or divorce suffer from a range of social disadvantages that may consequently lead to depression or other mental health problems (2014).
These social disadvantages then lead to poor development of social skills, leaving the child with major difficulties in socialization later in life. Having poor social skills can prevent an individual from obtaining employment and strong relationships which could then lead to low self-esteem and confidence and possibly mental health problems such as depression. Additionally, poor social skills can impact the growing personality of the individual. They may become extremely shy or at the other extreme; very aggressive, as they do not know how to properly communicate with others. These traits may lead to poor relationships and unemployment.
All of these factors can negatively influence the way a person thinks about themselves. Therefore, a positive and strong childhood will severely decrease the chance of experiencing depression in adolescent and adult life. If a child has strong support from both parents, and any other family members or friends as well as the ability to develop all aspects of their learning at a high or standard level, they will have a greater understanding of what is expected and what they should feel positively later in their life.
Self-esteem is an individual’s own opinion of themselves. A low self-esteem can reduce the quality of life in many different ways. There can be lots of aspects of a person’s life that negatively influences their self-esteem; many of which come from their childhood. Any form of childhood abuse will have a huge impact on the rest of that child’s life. Depression is one of the most commonly occurring consequences of past abuse or neglect (Kendall-Tackett, 2002). In an American representative study based on the National Co-morbidity Survey, adults who had experienced child abuse were two and a half times more likely to have major depression compared to adults who had not experienced abuse (Afifi et al., 2009). The likelihood of such consequences increased substantially if adults had experienced child abuse along with parental divorce (Afifi et al., 2009). For a person to receive the greatest childhood possible, they need constant interaction with both of their parents. The Australian Institute of Family Studies state that children who experience absence of a parent after separation or divorce suffer from a range of social disadvantages that may consequently lead to depression or other mental health problems (2014).
These social disadvantages then lead to poor development of social skills, leaving the child with major difficulties in socialization later in life. Having poor social skills can prevent an individual from obtaining employment and strong relationships which could then lead to low self-esteem and confidence and possibly mental health problems such as depression. Additionally, poor social skills can impact the growing personality of the individual. They may become extremely shy or at the other extreme; very aggressive, as they do not know how to properly communicate with others. These traits may lead to poor relationships and unemployment.
All of these factors can negatively influence the way a person thinks about themselves. Therefore, a positive and strong childhood will severely decrease the chance of experiencing depression in adolescent and adult life. If a child has strong support from both parents, and any other family members or friends as well as the ability to develop all aspects of their learning at a high or standard level, they will have a greater understanding of what is expected and what they should feel positively later in their life.
personal health practices and coping skills
‘Personal health practices and coping skills’ refers to the way individuals prevent certain situations and feelings from occurring, as well as the way they cope with challenges and develop self-reliance in order to improve their personal health (Keleher and MacDougall 2016). Stress is one of the leading factors influencing a person’s mental health; it is experienced when there is an imbalance between the demands being made and the ability to cope with those demands. Stress can cause individuals to develop different emotions, behaviours and thinking which can lead to negative feelings. In some cases, individuals may feel as if they cannot cope with stress, especially if it is coming from several different aspects of their life. It can be caused by any type of failure, work problems, financial problems, relationship problems and many other factors. However, stress can be dealt with in order to reduce the likelihood of these negative thoughts or feelings. If a person is unable to cope with the pressures of the stress they are experiencing, they may end up with a mental health issue such as depression.
As mentioned earlier, low self-esteem and personality are generally developed and influenced by the individual’s childhood. Consequently, if a person dislikes the way they feel about themselves or the way they express themselves to others, and struggles to accept or deal with it, they may develop deeply negative thoughts throughout their life. Low self-esteem can lead to rapid weight loss or weight gain, decreased confidence, loss of motivation and reduced resilience, all of which will continue to worsen the problem. Individuals with low self-esteem are particularly attentive to rejection cues, sometimes even when they don’t exist (Murray, Bellavia et al., 2003). Many individuals become stuck in a cycle of low self-esteem and feelings of rejection which generally leads to depression. These constant feelings of rejection can lead to trust issues within relationships and endless feelings of doubt within many aspects of life such as school, work and social life.
Another contributing factor affecting the way adolescents feel about themselves and consequently negatively influencing their self-esteem is the Media. Media outlets are constantly sharing stories and pictures of famous celebrities that have been altered, giving audiences unrealistic expectations of what their lives and selves should be like. Unless a person has specifically researched the truth about media and what they release as correct information, they may not have the ability to ignore what they see or read and accordingly follow. A study on the effects of media influence on body image in adolescence stated that reducing adolescents’ perceptions of appearance-related pressure from the media may be key for decreasing links between low self-esteem and negative eating behaviours (Ata et al., 2007).
A probable cause for depression in adolescents specifically could be related to failure at school; either with friends or with schoolwork. A Canadian study of over 5000 adolescent students in 2013 showed a high correlation between school and depressive symptoms. It also stated that adolescents who view their school positively are less likely to become depressed (“Adolescent Depression” 2013). Individuals at this age may struggle with the pressures of balancing schoolwork, socializing and part time work, therefore creating an increased imbalance of the demands they must meet and what they can cope with.
If adolescents learn how to cope well in stressful situations and avoid developing higher levels of stress and negativity, they will thoroughly reduce the likelihood of developing depression.
As mentioned earlier, low self-esteem and personality are generally developed and influenced by the individual’s childhood. Consequently, if a person dislikes the way they feel about themselves or the way they express themselves to others, and struggles to accept or deal with it, they may develop deeply negative thoughts throughout their life. Low self-esteem can lead to rapid weight loss or weight gain, decreased confidence, loss of motivation and reduced resilience, all of which will continue to worsen the problem. Individuals with low self-esteem are particularly attentive to rejection cues, sometimes even when they don’t exist (Murray, Bellavia et al., 2003). Many individuals become stuck in a cycle of low self-esteem and feelings of rejection which generally leads to depression. These constant feelings of rejection can lead to trust issues within relationships and endless feelings of doubt within many aspects of life such as school, work and social life.
Another contributing factor affecting the way adolescents feel about themselves and consequently negatively influencing their self-esteem is the Media. Media outlets are constantly sharing stories and pictures of famous celebrities that have been altered, giving audiences unrealistic expectations of what their lives and selves should be like. Unless a person has specifically researched the truth about media and what they release as correct information, they may not have the ability to ignore what they see or read and accordingly follow. A study on the effects of media influence on body image in adolescence stated that reducing adolescents’ perceptions of appearance-related pressure from the media may be key for decreasing links between low self-esteem and negative eating behaviours (Ata et al., 2007).
A probable cause for depression in adolescents specifically could be related to failure at school; either with friends or with schoolwork. A Canadian study of over 5000 adolescent students in 2013 showed a high correlation between school and depressive symptoms. It also stated that adolescents who view their school positively are less likely to become depressed (“Adolescent Depression” 2013). Individuals at this age may struggle with the pressures of balancing schoolwork, socializing and part time work, therefore creating an increased imbalance of the demands they must meet and what they can cope with.
If adolescents learn how to cope well in stressful situations and avoid developing higher levels of stress and negativity, they will thoroughly reduce the likelihood of developing depression.