ArticleBMC psychology2025
Longitudinal trajectories of depressive symptoms in adolescent students.
Article in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Transitions in Depressive Symptom Profiles Among Adolescents with Persistent Bullying Victimization: A Latent Transition Analysis.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among left-behind children: a moderated mediation model involving Internet Addiction.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Associations Between Maladaptive Personality Traits and Parenting Styles Among Chinese Adolescents: A Latent Profile and Response Surface Analysis.Psychology research and behavior management · 2026Article
- Physical activity and adolescent anxiety trajectories: a longitudinal analysis of exercise self-efficacy and body image.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundLongitudinal studies examining depressive symptom trajectories in adolescents remain limited, particularly in school-based populations. This study aimed to identify psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with depressive symptom trajectories in a cohort of Chinese adolescents.
methodsA four-semester longitudinal survey was conducted among 1,145 primary and secondary school students using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Mental Health Diagnostic Test Scale (MHT). Quasi-Poisson generalized linear models adjusted for overdispersion in PHQ-9 scores. Latent class mixed models delineated distinct depressive symptom trajectories. Binary logistic regression evaluated predictors of high-risk group membership, and generalized linear mixed-effects models assessed time-by-group interactions, adjusting for age, sex, and grade.
resultsAcross four time points, 27.9%-32.2% of adolescents scored ≥ 5 on the PHQ-9, indicating elevated risk for depression. Learning anxiety was the most prevalent anxiety subtype (41.9%-49.1%). Significant risk factors associated with higher depressive symptom scores included learning anxiety, hopelessness, interpersonal anxiety, sensitiveness, impulsive tendency, and temper loss, whereas family warmth and help-seeking behavior served as protective. Depressive symptoms in the past year were strong predictors of current depressive symptom severity. Two distinct depressive symptom trajectories were identified: a stable low-risk group and a high-risk group with worsening symptoms. The high-risk group, particularly among sixth-grade students, exhibited a sharper increase in loneliness over time, with hopelessness and somatic anxiety as key predictors.
conclusionsThis study delineates the developmental trajectories of depressive symptoms in adolescents and identifies modifiable psychosocial factors associated with high-risk patterns. The findings underscore the importance of early identification and targeted, school-based interventions to improve adolescent mental health outcomes.
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