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. 2015 Dec 15;230(2):150-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.08.030. Epub 2015 Aug 28.

Predictors of first-episode unipolar major depression in individuals with and without sub-threshold depressive symptoms: A prospective, population-based study

Amy T Peters  1 , Stewart A Shankman  1 , Thilo Deckersbach  2 , Amy E West  3
Affiliations

Predictors of first-episode unipolar major depression in individuals with and without sub-threshold depressive symptoms: A prospective, population-based study

Amy T Peters et al. Psychiatry Res. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to assess predictors of first-episode major depression in a community-based sample of adults with and without sub-threshold depression.

Method: Data were from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Participants meeting criteria for a sub-threshold depressive episode (sMDE; n=3901) reported lifetime depressed mood/loss of interest lasting at least two weeks and at least two of the seven other DSM-IV symptoms of MDD. Predictors of MDE 3 years later were compared in those with and without (n=31022) sMDE.

Results: Being female, history of alcohol or substance use, and child abuse increased the odds of developing MDD to a greater degree in individuals without sMDE relative to those with sMDE. Among those with sMDE and additional risk factors (low education, substance use), younger age was associated with marginally increased risk of MDD.

Conclusion: Several demographic risk factors may help identify individuals at risk for developing MDD in individuals who have not experienced an sMDE who may be candidates for early intervention. Future work should assess whether preventative interventions targeting substance/alcohol use and child abuse could reduce the risk of depression.

Keywords: Depression; Risk factors; Sub-threshold.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Amy T. Peters, Stewart A. Shankman, and Amy E. West report no financial interests. Thilo Deckersbach has received honoraria, consultation fees and/or royalties from the MGH Psychiatry Academy, BrainCells Inc., Systems Research and Applications Corporation, Boston University, the Catalan.

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