Clinically significant depressive symptoms in African American adolescent females in an urban reproductive health clinic

J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2010 Sep;17(3):175-82. doi: 10.1007/s10880-010-9200-9.

Abstract

Adolescent depression is a major public health concern. Depression and depressive symptoms are more prevalent in adolescent females and are associated with high-risk sexual behavior. Only one third of adolescents receive professional help for their depression, although about 90% visit their primary care providers on average 2-3 times per year. It is imperative that health professionals seek additional methods in the identification and treatment of depressive symptoms. This paper presents findings of the presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in African American female adolescents receiving routine health care services within an adolescent primary care reproductive health clinic. Results revealed higher rates of depressive symptoms in this subsample of African American adolescent females when compared to the national sample, suggesting that primary care reproductive health clinics are a viable setting for the identification of depressive symptoms among low income, African American female adolescents. Psychosocial interventions and recommendations for the integration of primary care reproductive health, and behavioral health consultation services are presented.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Poverty / psychology
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproductive Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Southeastern United States / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult