Major Depressive Episode among Adolescents: A National Study Examining the Impact of Parenting Behaviors

Major depressive episode (MDE) among adolescents is a significant public health issue. Approximately, 4.5 million adolescents have experienced an MDE in the past year. This study examined whether MDEs among adolescents differed based on specific parenting behaviors. A national sample of adolescents ages 12 to 17 years (n = 11,572) completed the 2023 National Survey of Drug use and Health. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether lifetime and past year MDE differed based on parenting behaviors. Results indicated that adolescents at highest risk for both lifetime and past-year MDE were female, older (14-15 or 16-17-years-old), and white. Regarding parenting behaviors, adolescents at highest risk for lifetime and past-year MDE were those who had parents never/seldom check their homework, never/seldom help with their homework, never/seldom limit the amount of TV, never/seldom tell them they did a good job, never/seldom tell them they were proud of them, and who argued/fought with them ten or more times in the past year. These findings show the intricate relationship between adolescent MDE and parenting behaviors. Public health educators should encourage parents to engage in authoritative parenting behaviors (defined as high levels of parental support, warmth, and clear expectations) to help prevent MDE among adolescents. Findings should be used to assist program developers in incorporating parenting components in MDE prevention and treatment efforts. Keywords: Major depressive episode, depression, adolescent, parenting