Associations between early life transitions and depressed mood over time: A 27-year study: Magnus Jørgensen. (25th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jørgensen, M; Smith, ORF; Wold, B; Haug, E
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 32(2022)Supplement 3
• Publication Date: 2022-10-25
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac130.085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Few studies have looked at how life transitions influence depressed mood from adolescence to adulthood and if parental socioeconomic status (SES) moderates these effects. Study questions: Are early life transitions (leaving education, leaving the parental home, attaining employment, and beginning cohabitation) associated with the development of depressed mood? Does SES affect the exposure to depressed mood and moderate the impact of life transitions? Methods: We used latent growth modelling to analyze depressed mood in a Norwegian sample (n = 1257) surveyed at age 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 30 and 40 (1990-2017). The effects of life transitions were modelled as time-varying predictors. At age 30 and 40, attaining employment and beginning cohabitation were used as covariates while parenthood was controlled for from age 19. Time-invariant covariates were gender and SES. Results: Depressed mood peaked at age 15 and 18, but decreased over time - following a polynomic curve with a linear (B = -.38, 95% CI = [-.49, -.28], p < .001) and quadratic slope (B = .05, 95% CI = [.013, .086], p < .001). Leaving the parental home (B = -.166, 95% CI = [-.250, -.083], p < .001) and beginning cohabitation (B = -.130, 95% CI = [-.231, -.029], p < .05) led to decreases in depressed mood regardless of age of transition. Higher SES was associated with lower depressed mood at intercept compared to mid-SES (B = -.106, 95% CI = [-.295, -.030], p < .05) and low SES (B = -.202, 95% CI = [-.343, -.062], p < .05). Girls also reported a higher intercept level of depressed mood (B = .274, 95% CI = [.165, .383], p < .001). Life transitions were not moderated by SES. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that leaving the parental home and beginning cohabitation were associated with depressed mood, and SES showed no moderation. Public health initiatives should therefore pay attention to life transitions when aiming to lessen depressive symptoms from adolescent years to adulthood. Key messages: Including life transitions can help better identify critical periods in developing depressed mood in the transition to adulthood. The often reported gender gap and social disparity in mental health was supported by the current study.