Outcomes of formal diagnostic labelling in young people with depressive symptoms: a longitudinal investigation

Purpose Receiving a diagnosis of depression can have multiple implications for young people with depressive symptoms. While diagnostic labelling can facilitate access to mental healthcare and more understanding from others, it may also lead to social stigmatisation or behavioural changes that trigger self-fulfilling prophecy effects. As a result, receiving a diagnosis could have diverse consequences for wellbeing. This study aimed to examine differences in mental health symptoms over time in young people (aged 16–25) who had either received a formal diagnosis of depression or had not received a formal diagnosis despite having depressive symptoms. Design/methodology/approach The study used data from Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study, waves 10–14 (final n = 1,808). Longitudinal growth modelling was used to test the impact of diagnosis status on mental health over time, while controlling for baseline mental health functioning and gender. Findings Individuals with a diagnosis demonstrated significantly different wellbeing trajectories than individuals who did not have diagnosis but had depressive symptoms. Those without a diagnosis experienced a gradual improvement in wellbeing over time, which slowed in later waves. Those with a diagnosis experienced an initial increase in psychological distress, with this trajectory changing in later waves to a decrease in psychological distress. Future research is required to clarify the mechanisms underpinning these differences. Originality/value The study is among the first to examine the differential wellbeing trajectories of youth with a depression diagnosis to youth without a diagnosis who have depressive symptoms.