Abstract
Adolescent depression during pregnancy is associated with increased morbidity for the teen and her infant. This cross-sectional
study explored the relationships among the independent histories of alcohol use, drug use, depression, and abuse (physical
or sexual) on depression severity in a diverse group of 116 pregnant adolescents (mean age = 16) who attended an urban prenatal
clinic. Ever having had an alcoholic drink was a significant predictor of higher depressive scores on Children’s Depression
Rating Scale-Revised, β = 3.3 (0.8, 5.7); p < 0.05. History of abuse was associated with a significant 4.3-point higher mean depressive score, β = 4.3 (1.8, 6.7), p < 0.001, and remained a statistically significant predictor of more severe depressive symptoms after adjustment for history
of alcohol use, history of drug use, and history of depression. This study identified that a history of physical or sexual
abuse is a significant factor related to the severity of depressive symptoms in pregnant adolescents, independent of a history
of alcohol, drug use, or depression. These findings suggest that an assessment of history of alcohol use, as well as abuse
history, may increase the likelihood of identifying adolescents at risk for antenatal depression.
study explored the relationships among the independent histories of alcohol use, drug use, depression, and abuse (physical
or sexual) on depression severity in a diverse group of 116 pregnant adolescents (mean age = 16) who attended an urban prenatal
clinic. Ever having had an alcoholic drink was a significant predictor of higher depressive scores on Children’s Depression
Rating Scale-Revised, β = 3.3 (0.8, 5.7); p < 0.05. History of abuse was associated with a significant 4.3-point higher mean depressive score, β = 4.3 (1.8, 6.7), p < 0.001, and remained a statistically significant predictor of more severe depressive symptoms after adjustment for history
of alcohol use, history of drug use, and history of depression. This study identified that a history of physical or sexual
abuse is a significant factor related to the severity of depressive symptoms in pregnant adolescents, independent of a history
of alcohol, drug use, or depression. These findings suggest that an assessment of history of alcohol use, as well as abuse
history, may increase the likelihood of identifying adolescents at risk for antenatal depression.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Short Communication
- Pages 1-5
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-012-0296-9
- Authors
- Golfo K. Tzilos, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Caron Zlotnick, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Christina Raker, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
- Caroline Kuo, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Maureen G. Phipps, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816