Shades of Blue: Investigating Racial, Socioeconomic, and Family Dynamics in Depression Among Teen Girls
Author(s)
Onur Baser, MS, PhD1, Katarzyna Rodchenko, MA, MPH2, Munira Mohamed, MPH3, Alexandra Passarelli, MPH2, Shuangrui Chen, MS2, Nehir Yapar, MS2.
1City University of New York, New York, NY, USA, 2Columbia Data Analytics, New York, NY, USA, 3Columbia Data Analytics, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
1City University of New York, New York, NY, USA, 2Columbia Data Analytics, New York, NY, USA, 3Columbia Data Analytics, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Depression among adolescent girls has become increasingly prevalent, with significant variations across racial and ethnic groups. This study examines racial disparities in depression prevalence and treatment among adolescent girls in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: Data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed, focusing on a sample of 4,346 adolescent girls aged 12-17 years. Logistic regression models were used to assess the likelihood of experiencing major depressive episodes (MDEs) and receiving treatment across different racial groups, controlling for sociodemographic factors.
RESULTS: Black and Asian/Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHPI) girls were less likely to report 12-month MDEs (AOR=0.71, p<0.01; AOR=0.70, p<0.05) and severe MDEs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.73, p<0.05; AOR=0.57, p<0.01) compared to White girls. However, significant disparities were observed in treatment access. Non-White girls were significantly less likely to receive treatment for depression (p<0.05) compared to White girls, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.28 to 0.63 across racial/ethnic groups.
CONCLUSIONS: While Black and Asian/NHPI adolescent girls reported lower rates of depression compared to White girls, they faced substantial barriers to accessing mental health treatment.
METHODS: Data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed, focusing on a sample of 4,346 adolescent girls aged 12-17 years. Logistic regression models were used to assess the likelihood of experiencing major depressive episodes (MDEs) and receiving treatment across different racial groups, controlling for sociodemographic factors.
RESULTS: Black and Asian/Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHPI) girls were less likely to report 12-month MDEs (AOR=0.71, p<0.01; AOR=0.70, p<0.05) and severe MDEs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.73, p<0.05; AOR=0.57, p<0.01) compared to White girls. However, significant disparities were observed in treatment access. Non-White girls were significantly less likely to receive treatment for depression (p<0.05) compared to White girls, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.28 to 0.63 across racial/ethnic groups.
CONCLUSIONS: While Black and Asian/NHPI adolescent girls reported lower rates of depression compared to White girls, they faced substantial barriers to accessing mental health treatment.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH145
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
SDC: Mental Health (including addition), SDC: Pediatrics