Factors related to depressive symptoms during the second year of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: A cross-sectional study with adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 with a sample of 1303 students (50.96% females; mean age = 16.32 ± 1.1y) enrolled in high schools integrated with professional education. Depressive symptoms, socioeconomic variables (sex, age, skin color/ethnicity, and head of the household education level), body mass index categories, and adherence to the recommendations on physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep were evaluated using an online survey. Linear regressions were used to test associations.

Results: Female, older adolescents, those who self-identified as Black, and those whose head of household had an incomplete primary education were associated with depressive symptoms. Not doing any moderate to vigorous physical activity (0 min/week) and not meeting recommendations for recreational screen time (<2 h) and sleep (≥8 h) were associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 3.04, 95%CI: 1.16;4.92; β = 4.54, 95%CI:1.99;7.10; β = 2.95, 95%CI:1.58;4.31; respectively).

Conclusion: Depressive symptomology during the COVID-19 pandemic is prominent in groups of adolescents who experience health inequities.

Practical implications: The results suggest that and at-risk groups may benefit from mental health care initiatives, and additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term impacts of depression during the pandemic and global health crises.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Depressive symptoms; Motor activity; School health; Screen time; Sleep.