Sex, early life adversity, and negative self-evaluation shape the association between negative life events and depressive symptoms in adolescence

Adolescent depression is an increasing public health concern. Recent experiences of negative events are associated with an increase in depressive symptoms and onset of major depression, but how factors such as sex and early life adversity (ELA) influence this association remains unclear. Data included 388 observations comprised of self-reported negative events and depressive symptoms measured every 4 months across a 12-month period by 97 adolescents oversampled for ELA and aged 11-17 (46.4% female). Higher between-person averages in negative events were associated with greater total depressive symptoms, specifically dysphoric mood and somatic complaints. Within-person variability in negative events was not associated with total depressive symptoms or any symptom subscales. Females with higher between-person negative events reported larger increases in negative self-evaluation symptoms than males. Among adolescents with high ELA exposure, higher between-person negative events were associated with more total depressive symptoms and increasing symptoms over time. The present data supported the well-established association between negative events and depressive symptoms, particularly negative self-evaluation symptoms and among females. Data support efforts to prevent depression among ELA-exposed adolescents regardless of ongoing stress exposure as well as sex-specific symptom targets that may mitigate risk.