Assessing adolescents admitting to adolescent counseling & health center with Beck Depression Scale and CES Depression Scale

Abstract

Aim: Beck Depression Scale (BDI) and CES Depression Scale (CESD-R) are most frequently used depression scales in adolescents. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of depression and related factors in adolescents admitting to Adolescent Counseling&Health Center.

Materials and Methods: Adolescents (n=103) admitting to Adolescent Counseling&Health Center in April 2015 - June 2015 period were included the study. BDI and CESD-R were completed by adolescents aged 12-19 years. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 demo program.

Results: Mean age was 15.18±1.63 (12-19) years. Of participants, 68,9% (n=71) were female, 69.9% (n=72) were high school students, 68.9% (n=71) had monthly family income of 1000-3000 Turkish Liras, 95.1% (n=98) had both parents alive, 65.0% (n=67) had parents living together, 83.5% (n=86) had nuclear family structure, 64.1% (n=66) would not take exams of LYS or TEOG that year. Their mean BDI score was 15.82±9.33 (1-45) and mean CESD-R score was 23.70±11.71 (4-52). According to BDI results; 28.2% (n=29) of participants had minimal depression, %35.0 (n=36) had mild depression, 27.2% (n=28) had moderate depression, and 9.7% (n=10) had severe depression. According to CESD-R results; 31.1% (n=32) of participants were normal, 22.3% (n=23) had border depression, and 46.6% (n=48) had severe depression.

Conclusion: Adolescents do not tend to visit primary care health centers for their psychiatric problems. Adolescents and their families need to be informed that depression can be diagnosed and treated in primary care.