Symptoms of depression and lifestyle in adolescents: A network analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Life experiences that could either promote or attenuate depression have primarily been studied in adults. Therefore, we investigated the association between lifestyle factors and symptoms of depression in adolescents.

Design and setting: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Brazilians.

Subjects: Data from 93 individuals were analyzed out of the 150 invited participants (age 14.2±1.8, 67.74% girls).

Measures: Lifestyle habits (SMILE-C), physical activity and sitting time (IPAQ), as well as symptoms of depression (DASS-21) were evaluated.

Analysis: A network analysis was performed using the EBIC-LASSO model, with the expected influence as a centrality parameter.

Results: The lifestyle domains with the highest expected influence were diet and nutrition (1.423), walking (1.126) and Stress Management (1.015). The variables with the highest direct partial negative correlation with depression were social support (-0.307) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (-0.244), suggesting a bidirectional relationship between these variables with lower symptoms of depression.

Conclusion: Specific lifestyle areas such as social support, physical activity and nutrition appear to impact other healthy habits while reducing teen depressive symptoms.

Keywords: Lifestyle; adolescents; depression; network analysis; physical activity.