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Risk and Protective Factors for Depression in Youth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Alison L. Shortt  and
Susan H. Spence
Alison L. Shortt
Affiliation:
Centre for Adolescent Health at the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Susan H. Spence*
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Australia. sue.spence@mq.edu.au
*
*Address for correspondence: Professor Susan H. Spence, Division of Linguistics and Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia.
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Abstract

Risk and protective processes and mechanisms associated with depression in youth are discussed within a developmental–ecological framework. Risk factors at the individual (genetics, biology, affect, cognition, behaviour) and broader contextual levels (e.g., family, school, community) are proposed to interact, leading to the development of depression in youth. Transactions between these individual and contextual factors are suggested to be dynamic and reciprocal, and these transactions are expected to change over time and developmental course. The ‘best bet’ for the prevention of depression may be multicomponent and multilevel interventions that address the multiple risk and protective factors associated with depression. Preventive interventions need to focus on building protective factors within young people themselves, as well as creating health-promoting environments at home and at school. These interventions likely need to be long term and geared towards assisting youth across successive periods of development.

Type
Invited Essay
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , 01 March 2006 , pp. 1 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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