Associations Between Children's Depressive Symptoms, Life Events, and Family Factors Among School‐Aged Children

Bibliographic Data

ID21354650
AuthorsTiina Talja (0000-0002-9040-3836, Tampere University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing Science, 33014 Tampere University Finland., corresponding author), Anja Rantanen (Tampere University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing Science, 33014 Tampere University Finland.), Anna‐Maija Koivisto (0000-0002-9061-9733, Tampere University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, 33014 Tampere University Finland.), Jenni Helenius (0000-0001-6933-404X, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Department of Public Health and Welfare, Knowledge Management and Co‐Creation PL 30 00271 Helsinki Finland.), Katja Joronen (0000-0002-3208-7249, University of Turku Department of Nursing Science FI‐20014 University of Turku Finland.)
Year2023
Volume93
Issue4
Pages279-288
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4391 • E-ISSN: 1746-1561
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josh.13271
PMID36411393
OpenAlexW4309524386
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

BACKGROUND: About 20-30% of children worldwide report depressive symptoms. This study examined associations between children's depressive symptoms, life events, and family factors. METHODS: Nationally representative data (n = 95,725) were drawn from the 2017 School Health Promotion Study in Finland. The respondents were 4th and 5th grade pupils (aged 10-12) in primary schools and their parents/guardians (n = 33,726). Data were analyzed for child-parent dyads (n = 32,181). Associations were studied using cross tabulation and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Children's reports of poor self-rated health, problems with family interactions, and the accumulation of life events were statistically significantly associated with depressive symptoms, also when controlling for sociodemographic factors. Financial situation and parent's depressed mood, both reported by parents, were associated with children's depressive symptoms when both were included in the regression model. However, this association disappeared when other predictors were added to the model. CONCLUSION: The results make apparent the complex associations between children's depressive symptoms and family factors. Further research is needed on the discrepancies between parent and child experiences.

Anxiety · Association (psychology) · Depression (economics) · Depressive symptoms · Logistic regression · Mood · Psychiatry · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology

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