PURPOSE: To determine if there are differences in adolescent depression using variables of age, gender, smoking, and alcohol use. METHODS: A comparative, descriptive survey design was used. The adolescents (N = 217) completed either the Beck Depression Inventory or the Children's Depression Inventory and a demographic questionnaire. FINDINGS: The 15- to 16-year-olds (p = .016), females (p = .003), and smokers (p = .001) scored significantly higher than the 12- to 14-year-olds on depression. The 15- to 16-year-olds who used alcohol were found to be twice as depressed as the nonusers (p = .002). No significant differences were found in the 17- to 19-year-old age group. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed depression increased with age, in females, and with smokers. Nurses are in a unique position to provide interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the likelihood of depression and alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescents.
PURPOSE: To determine if there are differences in adolescent depression using variables of age, gender, smoking, and alcohol use. METHODS: A comparative, descriptive survey design was used. The adolescents (N = 217) completed either the Beck Depression Inventory or the Children's Depression Inventory and a demographic questionnaire. FINDINGS: The 15- to 16-year-olds (p = .016), females (p = .003), and smokers (p = .001) scored significantly higher than the 12- to 14-year-olds on depression. The 15- to 16-year-olds who used alcohol were found to be twice as depressed as the nonusers (p = .002). No significant differences were found in the 17- to 19-year-old age group. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed depression increased with age, in females, and with smokers. Nurses are in a unique position to provide interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the likelihood of depression and alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescents.