The lived experience of adolescent depression: A systematic review and meta‐aggregation

Abstract

Background The under‐detection of depression in adolescents suggests that a better understanding of its presentation may be needed. Conceptualizations of adolescent depression are largely the same as adult depression, with minimal consideration of developmental stage. Exploration of first‐hand accounts could help to identify any unique features of adolescent depression. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to understand the lived experience of adolescents with depression to inform clinical practice. Methods The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020198141). Databases (PsychINFO, CINAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched in March 2022 to identify peer‐reviewed qualitative studies on first‐hand experiences of adolescent depression. The Joanna Briggs Institute's qualitative data extraction tool and checklist for qualitative research were used to obtain study data and assess methodological quality of included papers. Meta‐aggregation was the method of synthesis, whereby extracted themes from the papers were grouped according to shared meanings. Results Fifteen papers of mixed methodological quality were identified for inclusion from screening a total of 1,983 references. Studies were published between 2002 and 2021, spanned seven countries and included participants aged 11 to 22 years old. Aggregation of 56 themes resulted in 16 categories and 3 synthesized findings encompassing key aspects of adolescent depression: causes, symptoms and coping. Variability in adolescents' perspectives across these domains was evident. Some symptoms described, such as social disconnection and anger, are not listed in existing diagnostic criteria. Conclusions Subjective experiences of depression among adolescents vary and may not entirely match diagnostic criteria. Awareness of this when assessing for depression may improve detection and help to ensure adolescents feel understood.

The Use of Qualitative Case Studies of Graduate School Students: A Quantitative Analysis of their Depression Scale

“…In addition, one of the study's key findings was that the younger the age the more extreme the scale of depression. Age-related variations in symptom frequency of depression have been found (Twivy, Kirkham & Cooper, 2023). Table 2 below showed the profile of the respondents in accordance with their choice of gender.…”

Lived experiences of adolescents with major depressive disorder during the COVID pandemic: A qualitative study from a tertiary care center

“…Two prior studies have reported comparable results regarding the utilization of social media in non-pandemic periods and gaming during the COVID pandemic as coping mechanisms among depressed adolescents. [ 5 , 30 ] In addition, previous quantitative research has shown a correlation between depression in adolescents and extended gaming time during the COVID pandemic. [ 31 ] Furthermore, depression has been found to influence the impact of family conflicts on problematic internet use.…”

“…Similar descriptions of ruminations, [ 34 ] fatigue, [ 27 ] and lack of motivation have been reported in other studies involving depressed adolescents. A recent review reported three subthemes in adolescents’ attributions to causes of depression: “environmental influences,” “internal causes,” and “difficulty understanding.” [ 5 ] Similar to the third subtheme, the study participants were uncertain about the cause but identified stress as a possible cause. All participants perceived the worsening and prolongation of depression during the pandemic and this study is the first to report this subjective finding.…”

“…Twivy et al . [ 5 ] reviewed 15 such studies, identifying three main themes (with subthemes): Causes (environmental influences, internal factors, and unclear origins), symptoms (social disconnection, altered sense of self, low mood, negative outlook, anger, overwhelming distress, and fear), and coping (role of others, self-protective strategies, social media as a coping tool, harm to self, and confronting depression). Fewer studies have examined depressed adolescents’ service-seeking experiences.…”

Experience of psychosocial rehabilitation; perspectives of depressed adolescents

“…The role of mental health management in reducing depressive symptoms in young adults has been highlighted [11,23], yet, as noted, managing depression can have several unintended consequences for both teenagers and their parents, such as powerlessness and trauma [24]. According to a different study, adolescents with depression constantly worry about relapsing despite ongoing treatment [25]. These incidents, however, go against how youth receiving depression treatment should perceive themselves, challenging their sense of self [26].…”