A Correlation Study on Life Events and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents Studying at Selected Schools in Mysore

Background: Depressed patients have significantly greater number of life events prior to the onset of their illness. Rates of depression have increased over the past five decades, with younger age of onset. Many adolescents suffer from brief periods of depression when they are faced with an upsetting event or disappointment.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess and correlate life events and depressive symptoms among adolescents studying at selected schools in Mysore.

Methodology: Descriptive and Correlation survey design was used. Using non probability convenience sampling technique, total 100 adolescents were selected. Tool used to collect the data consisted of three part: Proforma for selected personal variables (10 items), Modified Adolescent Life Events Questionnaire (46 items) and Modified Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (20 items).

Results: Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that, 91 adolescent's life events score was between 0-23 suggestive of less life events and 09 adolescents suggestive of high life events with the score range 24-46. Present study findings shows that 50 adolescents have no depressive symptom, 40 adolescents have mild depressive symptom and 10 adolescents have suggestive of major depressive symptom. The calculated correlation coefficient 'r' value r₍₁₀₀₎ = 0.886 between life events and depression found to be significant at 0.05 level. Chi square was computed to find the association with selected personal variables and was not significant at 0.05 level except for gender, class of study and occupation of father.

Conclusion: This study has revealed that adolescents life events was positively correlated with depressive symptoms among adolescents.