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Abstract
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Aims
Depression among children and adolescents is a significant public health challenge, yet diagnostic frameworks like ICD and DSM use uniform criteria across age groups. Clinical observations primarily suggest developmental differences, with prepubertal children exhibiting more irritability, somatic complaints, and behavioral changes primarily induced by anhedonia, while adolescents present more cognitive symptoms, resembling those experienced by adults. Gender differences in depression prevalence also emerge during adolescence, with girls experiencing more internalizing symptoms, while boys display more externalizing behaviors.
Despite the clear need for age- and gender-specific diagnostic approaches, research exploring these variations remains limited, particularly in younger populations. This gap hinders the development of targeted diagnostic tools and treatments. The present research addresses this gap.
Methods
This cross-sectional study examines age- and gender-specific patterns of depressive symptoms by comparing prepubertal children (aged 8–12 years) and (post)pubertal adolescents (aged 13–18 years), drawing on the clinical cohort from the BioMD-Y study (cohort profile described in Scherff et al., 2024 BMJOpen 14:e074925), which includes more than 400 youth with major depression.
Information on depressive symptoms based on both DSM and ICD criteria was obtained via structured diagnostic interviews with the participants and their caregivers (Kinder-DIPS). Statistical analyses include group comparisons, patterns of co-occurring symptoms, and exploratory interactions between age and gender. Gender-specific patterns were of particular interest.
Results and Conclusions
Preliminary results show emerging differences in symptom frequencies and clusters between prepubertal and (post)pubertal study participants, which will be presented at the congress. From these findings, important implications for understanding developmental and gender-specific differences in depressive symptoms can be derived. These findings are crucial for improving established interventions for youth with depression in an age-appropriate way.
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