Understanding adolescent depression in ethnocultural context: updated with empirical findings.

As a continuation of the discussion of the ethnocultural variations in adolescent depression, a cross-sectional, school-based study was designed to examine ethnocultural variations in depression and somatic symptoms in white, African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American adolescents (N = 307). Ethnocultural variations in the relationship between depression and somatic symptoms were also explored. Each ethnocultural group of adolescents had its own particular tendency to symptoms of depression. Ethnocultural-specific patterns of relationship were also found between depression and somatic symptoms. This study confirmed the importance of understanding ethnocultural variations in adolescent depression.