Can Social Support be Protective against Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents from 24 Low- and Middle-Income Countries?

Background: Adolescents are highly vulnerable to depressive symptoms worldwide partially because of limited social supports. However, it still remains largely unknown regarding the associations between social support(s) and depressive symptoms among adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study aimed to explore the associations between different types of social support and depressive symptoms in adolescents from LMICs. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) in which 92,551 adolescents (50.6% females) were included with mean of 15.6 years. Depressive symptoms in the past one month as the dependent variable were measured in combination with social support (was measured by “During the past 30 days, how often were most of the students in your school kind and helpful?”). Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analysis of country-wise estimates were performed to investigate the associations between social support and depressive symptoms, and the heterogeneity of the associations across the countries, respectively. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.9% of adolescents from LMICs. Peer support and parental connectedness were two major factors that were significantly associated with depression symptoms in adolescents. However, the associations of peer support and parental connectedness with depressive symptoms were significant in males and females, respectively. The country-wise analysis indicated that varied inconsistency (small to large) across the associations of peer support and parental connectedness with depressive symptoms in adolescents. Conclusion: Results in this study provides multi-national evidence of the protective roles of social support against depressive symptoms among adolescents. However, the association between social support and depression symptoms may be moderated by sex and types of social support. Although we found that social support may be an important protective factor against depressive symptoms in adolescents from LMICs, specifically designed interventions should be implemented based on sex difference and country difference.     

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and Psychological Distress among Adolescents: Les Directives canadiennes en matière de mouvement sur 24 heures et la détresse psychologique chez les adolescents

Objective:The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time per day, and 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night for 5 to 13 years old and 8 to 10 hours per night for 14 to 17 years old. This study examined the association between meeting these guidelines and psychological distress among adolescents.Methods:The present cross-sectional sample included 6,364 students aged 11 to 20 years from the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. This provincially representative school-based survey is based on a 2-stage cluster design. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was first conducted to confirm the factor structure of the K6, and structural equation modeling adjusted for age, sex, ethnoracial background, subjective socioeconomic status, and body mass index z-score was used to investigate the association between meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and K6 factors among adolescents.Results:The CFA demonstrated that a 2-factor model (representing anxiety and depressive symptoms) of the K6 fit the data well. The anxiety and depression items demonstrated a composite reliability (Cronbach’s α) of 0.86 and 0.83, respectively, indicating a high level of internal consistency. Compared to meeting none of the recommendations, meeting all 3 movement behavior recommendations was associated with lower anxiety (β = −0.076; P = 0.028) and depressive symptoms (β = −0.067; P = 0.028). Meeting the screen time + sleep duration recommendations had the strongest association with anxiety (β = −0.157; P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (β = −0.139; P < 0.001), followed by meeting the sleep duration recommendation only for both anxiety (β = −0.135; P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (β = −0.106; P < 0.001).Conclusions:Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines was associated with lower anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents, and these associations appear mainly driven by meeting the sleep duration recommendation.     

“Lifting More” is Associated with Lower Risks of Depression in University Students

Research on the population in western world showed that, MSE (muscle-strengthening exercise) is beneficial to the treatment of mental disorders. However, the situation in Chinese adults is little known. For this reason, the study is performed to understand the connection between depression and MSE among college and university students in China aged between 18 to 24.1793 college students have been recruited, and their average age is 20.67. A questionnaire has been developed and it is self-reported and designed to collect information about MSE and participants, including body mass index and sex and so on. Sleep and physical activity have been evaluated by introducing two scales, that is, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, respectively. Moreover, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 has been adopted to indicate the severity of depression of participants. The link between depression and MSE has been studied by introducing multilevel linear regression. Among all these study participants, just 24.87% of them met the MSE standards of World Health Organization, that is, more than 2 days every week. The average depression score was 6.80 (±5.19). Greater number of days for MSE shows negative association with the depression, with beta = −0.17, 95% CI: −0.31 to −0.03, p = 0.015). Those students failing to meet MSE standards are more susceptible to the depression risk (beta = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.09–0.19, p = 0.027). The results show that, there is a relationship between MSE participation and relieved status of depression among young adults in China. Interventions designed to relieve depression can be developed on the basis of MSE.     

Food Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents Aged 12–15 Years from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Purpose: Little is known about the role of food insecurity (FIS) on depressive symptoms among adolescents. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between FIS and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12–15 years from low- and middle-income countries across the world. Methods: Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey were analyzed in 51,702 adolescents [mean (SD) age 13.8 (1.0) years; 49.3% girls). Self-reported measures assessed depressive symptoms during the past 12 months, and food insecurity. Participants reporting yes for depressive symptoms. FIS was categorized into five levels, including ‘never’, ‘rarely’, ‘sometimes’, ‘most of the time’ and ‘always’. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and a country-wise meta-analysis was undertaken to compare country difference in the associations between FIS and depressive symptoms. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.0%, respectively. Compared with those reporting never for FIS, adolescents with increased severity of FIS were more likely to report depressive symptoms regardless of gender. Country-wise meta-analysis demonstrated that having FIS versus not having FIS was associated with 60% greater odds for depressive symptoms (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.52–1.69) but with a moderate between-country heterogeneity (I² = 12.7%). Conclusion: The current study indicates that alleviating FIS may be an effective prevention against depressive symptoms among adolescents from LMICs. Future studies should adopt improved study design to confirm or negate our research findings, which informs more efficient public mental health interventions.     

Exercise,Depression, and Anxiety in Young People: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among adolescents and have multiple negative effects on their physical and mental health. While exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, the relationship between mental disorders among American university students has been rarely reported. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the association between exercise, depression and anxiety among American university students in the 2018–2019 academic year. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the association between exercise, depression and anxiety was investigated in a large representative sample of American university students. In the 2018–2019 academic year, university students aged 18+ years old from 79 institutions participated in this school-based study. The questionnaire included measurements of demographic characteristics, exercise, and validated screen instructions for depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). The multivariable logistic regression model was applied to explore the association between exercise, depression and anxiety. Results: A total of 62026 individuals (31.9% males) participated in this survey, and the prevalence of exercising at least 5 h each day was 24.6%. The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 25.7% and 22.3%, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression model, compared to exercise at least 5 h daily, participants whose exercise less than 1 h daily (OR = 1.31 [1.29, 1.33], p < 0.05), 2 to 3 h daily (OR = 1.13 [1.11, 1.15], p < 0.05), 3 to 4 h daily (OR = 1.04 [1.02, 1.06], p < 0.05), were correlated with greater odds of depression, while exercise less than 1 h daily (OR = 1.23 [1.21, 1.25], p < 0.05), 2 to 3 h daily (OR = 1.10 [1.08, 1.12], p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with greater odds of anxiety. Conclusion: Higher levels of exercise are associated with lower risk of depression and anxiety among American university students. Community and school interventions should focus on increasing exercise participation in university populations to promote both physical and mental health.     

Possible association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attempted suicide in adolescents – A pilot study

ObjectiveBoth adolescent suicide and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are troubling phenomena with high comorbidity, including impulsivity, depression and personality disorders (PD). Studies on the association between these two phenomena are relatively rare. This pilot study's aim was to estimate the rate of ADHD in adolescents attempting suicide.MethodSubjects constituted consecutive admissions to the psychiatric emergency room (ER) who were admitted as a result of attempting suicide. Assessment included the use of the Kiddie-SADS, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Conners’ Rating Scale (CRS). Those diagnosed as suffering from ADHD were assessed by a standardized Continuous Performance Test (Test of Variables of Attention [TOVA]) that included methylphenidate (MPH) challenge. Twenty-three (23) adolescents completed the study. M:F ratio was 5:18, respectively.ResultsOf the 23 participants who completed the study, 65% were diagnosed with ADHD, 43.5% with depression and 39% with cluster B PD. ADD/ADHD ratio was 66%:34%. Only five of the patients were formerly diagnosed as ADHD, only three had been medicated and 14 out of 15 adolescents responded well to MPH challenge.ConclusionThese preliminary results suggest a significant association between ADHD and suicidal behavior in adolescents. Further study is needed to establish this association and assess the causality.     

Depression as a mediator between frequent nightmares and non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: a 3-wave longitudinal model

BackgroundFrequent nightmares and depression are associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents. Little is known about the mediating role of depression in the nightmare-NSSI link. This study explores the longitudinal mediating effect of depression on the relationship between frequent nightmares and NSSI as well as the moderating effect of gender using a three-wave longitudinal design.MethodsParticipants were adolescents from the Shandong Adolescent Behavior and Health Cohort who were surveyed at baseline, 1 year later, and 2 years later. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure nightmare frequency, depression, and NSSI. Structural equation modeling and multiple-group analysis were used to test the mediating effect of depression and the moderating effect of gender. Covariates included demographics and earlier measures of depression and NSSI.ResultsAmong 6995 participants, 3399 (48.6%) were females, mean age was 14.86 (SD = 1.50) years at baseline. Frequent nightmares had a significant mediation effect on NSSI through depression (B_ab = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02–0.10) after controlling for demographics and earlier measures of depression and NSSI. Gender had no significant moderating effect on the nightmare-NSSI association.LimitationsAll data were collected by self-report.ConclusionsThe association between frequent nightmares and NSSI in adolescents was partially mediated by depression. Frequent nightmares and depression should be assessed and treated to prevent self-harm in adolescents.     

Substance Use and the Treatment of Resistant Depression in Adolescents

ObjectiveDespite the known association between substance use disorders and major depressive disorder (MDD) among adolescents, little is known regarding substance use among adolescents with MDD.MethodYouths with MDD who had not improved after an adequate selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor trial (N = 334) were enrolled in the Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents trial. Analyses examined substance use (via the Drug Use Severity Index) and changes therein in relation to treatment and depressive symptoms. Adolescents meeting substance use disorder criteria via the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version at baseline were excluded.ResultsSubstance use was common: 28.1% reported repeated experimentation at baseline. Substance-related impairment was associated with baseline depression severity, older age, physical/sexual abuse, family conflict, hopelessness, and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder. There was significant improvement in substance-related impairment among adolescents who responded to MDD treatment. Baseline suicidal ideation was higher among the subjects who progressed to high substance-related impairment (≥75th percentile) versus those whose substance-related impairment remained low (<75th percentile), and parental depressive symptoms predicted persistence of high substance-related impairment during the study. The MDD response was best among the adolescents with low 12 week substance-related impairment scores regardless of whether they had high or low baseline substance-related impairment. There were no significant differential effects of specific treatments, pharmacological or cognitive-behavioral therapy, on substance use.ConclusionsSubstance use is common among adolescents with treatment-resistant MDD. The subjects who had persistently low substance-related impairment or who demonstrated reduced substance-related impairment had better MDD treatment response, although the direction of this association is uncertain.     

Social support buffers the effects of terrorism on adolescent depression: findings from Sderot, Israel

ObjectiveThis prospective study of 29 Israeli middle school students experiencing terror attacks by Qassam rockets addressed whether higher levels of baseline social support protected adolescents from adverse psychological effects of exposure to rocket attacks.MethodParticipants were assessed at two time points 5 months apart, before and after a period of military escalation from May to September 2007. Adolescent self-reported depression was measured at both time points, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Child Depression Scale. Social support from family, friends, and school was measured at time 1, via a short form of the Perceived Social Support Scale. Adolescents also reported their exposure to rocket attacks at both time points.ResultsThere was a significant interaction between social support and exposure to rocket attacks predicting depression over time. As hypothesized, baseline levels of social support buffered against the effect of exposure to rocket attacks on increased depression. Conversely, social support was associated with increased depression for adolescents who were not exposed to rocket attacks.ConclusionsFindings highlight the potential importance of community mental health efforts to bolster schools, families, and peer groups as protective resources in times of traumatic stress. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2008; 47(9):1073–1076.     

Orexin A in adolescents with anxiety disorders

Abstract

Objectives: The relationships between orexins and stress-related conditions have been well documented in animal studies. However, human studies confirming this relationship are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between orexin-A and anxiety disorders in adolescents. Additionally, we aimed to examine the relationship between orexin-A and cortisol levels in those with anxiety disorders.

Methods: A total of 56 medication-free adolescents diagnosed with any anxiety disorder, except for specific phobias, and 32 healthy controls were included in this study. Depression, state and trait anxiety levels of the participants were measured using self-report scales. Orexin-A and cortisol levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that serum orexin-A levels were significantly higher in the anxiety disorder group than in the control group while controlling for age, sex and depression levels. After controlling for age and sex, orexin-A levels were positively and negatively correlated to depression and cortisol levels, respectively. In addition, a positive correlation trend between trait anxiety and orexin-A was found.

Conclusions: Orexin-A levels are higher in adolescents with anxiety disorder; however, depressive symptoms should be considered when investigating this relationship.     

Self-compassion and family cohesion moderate the association between suicide ideation and suicide attempts in Chinese adolescents

BackgroundIn recent years, many studies have examined risks factors that facilitated the transition from suicide ideation to suicide attempts. Few studies, however, have examined protective factors against this transition. The current study thus assessed two protective factors, self-compassion and family cohesion, in buffering the transition from suicide ideation to suicide attempts.MethodA number of 520 Chinese adolescents (43.46% females, mean age = 12.96 years) completed questionnaires assessing self-compassion, family cohesion, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts two times with a 12-month interval.ResultsSelf-compassion significantly moderated the association between Wave 1 SI and later SA. The positive dimension of self-compassion thwarted the transition from SI and SA, and the negative dimension of self-compassion strengthened the associations. In addition, family cohesion also significantly moderated the transition from SI to SA.ConclusionIncreasing the levels of self-compassion and family cohesion may be the targets for treating adolescents with suicide ideation to prevent them from attempting suicide.     

Child labor,sex and mental health outcomes amongst adolescent refugees

IntroductionRefugee adolescents living in camps and settlements in low and middle-income countries are a vulnerable population who face protection and psychosocial risks. This study explores prevalence of child labor amongst adolescent refugees from South Sudan in two refugee settlements in Uganda, to understand impacts of child labor on mental health outcomes, and examines the influence of sex on these impacts.MethodsSurveys were conducted in Adjumani and Kiryandongo refugee settlements, Uganda, with 470 adolescents between 13 and 17 interviewed between December 2014–February 2015. Univariate finite mixture modeling identified a two-cluster model of child labor. Logistic regression models assessed the association of child labor and mental health.ResultsA two-cluster solution for child labor activity was determined among the 332 adolescents who self-reported engaging in any child labor (Significant child labor: n = 174, 37%; moderate child labor cluster: n = 158, 34%; no child labor cluster: n = 138, 29%. Odds of depression amongst adolescents exposed to significant vs. no child labor was 4.15 (95% CI: 2.01–8.56), in a model examining interaction of sex and child labor and controlling for socio-demographic variables. For the anxiety outcome, girls exposed to significant vs. no child labor are less likely to report higher levels of anxiety (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.90).ConclusionsAdolescents living in refugee settlements in Uganda report high levels of participation in child labor. Protection of adolescents from the risks involved with child labor in refugee contexts is an important and often over-looked area of child protection in humanitarian settings.     

Sleep duration does not mediate the association between screen time and adolescent depression and anxiety: findings from the 2018 National Survey of Children's Health

Objective/backgroundAdolescence is a crucial time period in which individuals are at high risk for depression and anxiety. Associations between screen time and adolescent depression and anxiety have been inconclusive. We examined 1) the associations of screen time with adolescent depression and anxiety and 2) whether sleep duration mediates these relationships.MethodsThis study utilized data from the 2018 US. National Survey of Children's Health, a large cross-sectional population representative dataset with parent/caregiver responses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between screen time and depression and anxiety in separate models. Path models were used to test the mediating role of sleep duration. Confounders, as sex, age, and sociodemographic variables were included in our adjusted models.ResultsData of 10,907 adolescents aged 13 to 17 were included in this study. The average screen time was 3.76 h daily. Compared to no screen time, adolescents who used over 4 h of screen time per day had higher odds of depression (OR = 2.23, 95% CI:1.27–3.91) and anxiety (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.26–2.72). Sleep duration did not mediate the associations between screen time and depression and anxiety.ConclusionsFurther research is necessary to examine the associations of screen time content with depression and anxiety, as well as the effects of sleep quality in conjunction with sleep duration on the relationships of screen time and depression and anxiety.     

Specific Types of Screen-Based Sedentary Time and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents

Purpose: Screen-based sedentary behavior (SSB) has been identified as risk factor for mental disorders in most of adolescents. However, there is little literature pertaining to the specific kinds of SSB and its connections with depressive symptoms in most of adolescents. In the present study, we are going to find out the connections between specific types of SSB and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional data based on 996 study participants of middle school students in Guangdong Province. SSB was evaluated by distributing the questionnaire of Health Behavior in School-aged Children, while depressive symptoms were evaluated using Chinese version of Children’s Depressive symptoms Inventory (CDI). SSB was categorized into TV/movie time, video games time and other electronic devices-based time (e.g., mobile phone, computer use). Generalized linear models was used to explore the connections between specific kinds of SSB and depressive symptoms. Results: After controlling for variables of sex, ethnicity, grade, residence, siblings, perceived family affluence, father educational level, mother educational background, body mass index (BMI), physical exercise, duration of sleep, other electronic devices-based time was positively correlated with depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents (B = 0.557%, 95%CI: 0.187–0.926, p = 0.003). This significant connection was also found in girls (B = 0.728%, 95%CI: 0.230–1.225, p = 0.004) instead of boys (p > 0.05). The other types of SSB were not significantly in relation to depressive symptoms in adolescents regardless of sex. Conclusion: This study suggested that it might be effective in reducing or preventing depressive symptoms through limiting electronic devices-based time, like computer use or mobile phone use time. This strategy would be particularly useful in girls. Future studies should negate or replicate the research results by introducing more improved study design, which is beneficial to better understand the connections between SSB and depressive symptoms as well as then design more efficient interventions in adolescents.     

Factor structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in Taiwanese adolescents

BackgroundThe original study of Radloff (Appl Psychol Meas. 1977. 1:385-401) on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) indicated a 4-factor model in the adult population. However, the factor structure of the CES-D in Asian adolescents has not been extensively validated. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Chinese version of the CES-D in a large representative Taiwanese adolescent population.MethodA total of 10 116 adolescents completed the Chinese version of the CES-D. We used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the adequacy of 5 models of the factor structure in adolescents who were divided into 4 groups by sex and age. We also enrolled the variables of suicide tendency, insomnia, and peer relationships into the confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of the CES-D and examined the correlations between the CES-D factors and these variables.ResultsThe results of this study indicated that the four-factor model (depressed affect, somatic symptoms, interpersonal problems, and positive affect) had the highest validity in Taiwanese adolescents. We also found that although the 4 factors of the CES-D were correlated with each other, their correlations with suicide tendency, insomnia, and peer relationships were different.ConclusionsThis study supported the usefulness of the Chinese version of the CES-D as a tool to understand the concept of depression in Taiwanese adolescents.     

Parenting behaviour and paranoia: a network analysis and results from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescents (NCS-A)

Purpose

Parenting behaviours—including the extent to which parents are protective, hostile, or caring—likely impacts whether a child develops a sense of vulnerability that carries forward into adulthood. Ideas of vulnerability are a contributory factor to the occurrence of paranoia. Our aim was to assess whether there is an association between specific parenting behaviours and paranoia.

Method

We examined cross-sectional associations of parenting and paranoia in an epidemiologically representative cohort of 10,148 adolescents (National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescents; NCS-A) and a second dataset of 1286 adults in Oxfordshire. Further, a network analysis was conducted with paranoia, parenting behaviours, and cognitive-affective variables (compassion, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression). Overprotectiveness, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and amount of care were assessed in mothers and fathers separately.

Results

Nearly all parenting variables were significantly associated with paranoia, with parental verbal and physical abuse showing the largest associations. For example, the odds of reporting paranoia was over four times higher for those in the adult sample reporting a lot of paternal verbal abuse, compared to those reporting none (OR = 4.12, p < 0.001, CI 2.47–6.85). Network analyses revealed high interconnectivity between paranoia, parenting behaviours, and cognitive-affective variables. Of the parenting variables, paranoia most strongly interacted with paternal abuse and maternal lack of care.

Conclusion

There are associations between participants’ self-reported experiences of parental behaviours and paranoia. Despite being associated with paranoia, cognitive-affective variables did not appear to mediate the relationship between parenting and paranoia, which is surprising. What might explain the link therefore remains to be determined.

     

Depression in university students: associations with impulse control disorders

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the implications of depression in a sample of university students, particularly relating to impulse control disorders. While previous studies have shown high rates of depression among university students, no study to date has assessed whether levels of depression show associations with the incidence of impulse control disorders in this population.

Methods: In all, 6000 students participated in the College Student Computer Use Survey. A total of 1717 students completed the scales of interest for this analysis. Participants were assigned to groups based on depression scores: severe (N?=?75), mild/moderate (N?=?647) and none (N?=?995). The three groups were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) or chi-square test. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to elucidate associations between depression and impulse control disorder diagnoses.

Results: Groups differed across demographic, health and academic variables. The severe depression group reported higher rates of skin-picking disorder, compulsive sexual behaviour and compulsive buying.

Conclusion: Results suggest a significant association between depression and impulse control disorders. One possibility is that a facet of impulsivity contributes to both problems, which could be important information for clinicians. Future studies will need to clarify the exact nature of the relationship between depression and impulse control disorders.     

Depression,Anxiety, Stress and Their Association with the Use of Electronic Devices among Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Adolescence is a critical, multifactorial developmental phase. With the current pandemic of COVID-19, excessive using of electronic devices is a public health concern. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between depression and the use of electronic devices among secondary school children in Jazan, Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study is an observational, cross-sectional study. Data was collected using an anonymous online survey instrument. including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Results: A total of 427 participants were included in the study. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in our study was 14.55%, 12.01%, and 15.55%, respectively. For the hours spent on electronic devices, 13.6% of participants spent 1–4 h, 43.6% spent 5–9 h, and 42.9% spent 10 h or more. 86.7% reported an increase in their use of electronic devices during COVID-19. The regression analysis revealed that the increase of Videogame Addiction Scale for Children is significantly associated with an increase in Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scores (p-value < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: Electronic device use is a challenging issue among Saudi adolescents, and it has been associated with a negative impact on participants’ mental well-being. The study found a positive correlation between electronic device use and increased prevalence of mental health issues. We also found significantly increased use of electronic device during the COVID-19 lockdown; hence, more mental issues were reported. It is obvious that electronic device use needs to be more controlled among adolescents. This can be achieved by involving those who are in this age group in other activities, like sports, which can reduce the time they spend on electronic device.     

Depression symptoms in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A contextual approach to mental health comorbidities

IntroductionAlthough research on mental health comorbidities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased in recent years, little has been done to evaluate potential individual × environment interactions associated with these comorbidities. The current study explored whether ASD-related characteristics (social-communication impairment) and environmental factors (peer and family contexts) had additive or interactive effects on the depression symptoms of youth with ASD.MethodIn a cross-sectional sample of adolescents with ASD (N = 176; 13–17 years old; 72.7% male), primary caregivers and adolescents responded to a series of surveys online pertaining to adolescents' mental health (Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale), family functioning (Self-Report of Family Inventory), and experiences of peer victimization (Peer Experiences Questionnaire-Revised).ResultsThere were statistically significant interactions between social-communication skills and the environment in both family (△R² = 0.02) and peer (△R² = 0.02) contexts. For youth with better social-communication skills, there was a positive association between peer victimization and depression symptoms and a negative association between family competence and depression symptoms.ConclusionFindings support social-push interactive models in which better social-communication skills are associated with fewer depression symptoms in the context of less-stressful peer and family environments, highlight the utility of ecologically informed approaches to the mental health of youth with ASD, and suggest several areas for future study.     

Unforgiveness,depression, and health in later life: the protective factor of forgivingness

Objectives: Feeling unforgiven by others has been linked to poor health outcomes. The current study examined whether feeling unforgiven by others is associated with depression and self-rated health among older adults in the United States. The potential moderating roles of forgiving others and self-forgiveness in the association between unforgiveness and both depression and self-rated health was also assessed along with gender differences.

Method: Data were drawn from a sample of 1009 adults in Wave 2 of the Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, a national sample of adults aged over 67. Depression was measured using the eight item short form from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Self-rated health was assessed with a one-item indicator.

Results: Analyses indicated that higher levels of self-forgiveness ameliorated the relationship between unforgiveness by others and depression for men and women and higher levels of forgiving others attenuated the association between unforgiveness by others and depression for women. Self-forgiveness was protective of depression for women who reported unforgiveness by others and low levels of forgiving others. Regardless of levels of self-forgiveness, men who were most likely to forgive others experienced a significant association between unforgiveness by others and depression. Neither forgiving others nor the self were significant moderators in the association between unforgiveness and self-rated health.

Conclusion: Forgiving others and the self may be protective of well-being when women feel unforgiven by others. These findings have implications for forgiveness intervention programs and contribute to literature pertaining to forgiveness and health in later life.