Correlates of depressive symptoms among at-risk youth presenting to the emergency department.

Abstract: Objective: The study's objective was to identify correlates of depressive symptoms among at-risk youth in an urban emergency department (ED). Method: A systematic sample of adolescents (ages 14–18) in the ED were recruited as part of a larger study. Participants reporting past-year alcohol use and peer aggression self-administered a survey assessing: demographics, depressive symptoms and risk/protective factors. Logistic regression identified factors associated with depressive symptoms. Results: Among 624 adolescents (88% response rate) meeting eligibility criteria, 22.8% (n=142) screened positive for depressive symptoms. In logistic regression, depressive symptoms were positively associated with female gender [odds ratio (OR): 2.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.78–4.51], poor academic performance (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01–2.44), binge drinking (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.21–2.91), community violence exposure (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.59–3.18) and dating violence (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.36–3.38) and were negatively associated with same-sex mentorship (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29–0.91) and older age (OR: 0.55, 95% CI 0.34–0.89). Including gender interaction terms did not significantly change findings. Conclusions: Screening and intervention approaches for youth in the urban ED should address the co-occurrence of depressive symptoms with peer and dating violence, alcohol and nonmarijuana illicit drug use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]