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World J Psychiatry. Nov 19, 2024; 14(11): 1779-1782
Published online Nov 19, 2024. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i11.1779
Enhancing adolescent mental health through cognitive and social support: Insights from study on depression in Chinese adolescents
Uchenna E Okpete, Haewon Byeon
Uchenna E Okpete, Haewon Byeon, Department of Digital Anti-aging Healthcare (BK21), Inje University, Gimhae 50834, South Korea
Uchenna E Okpete, Haewon Byeon, Inje University Medical Big Data Research Center, Gimhae 50834, South Korea
Author contributions: Okpete UE and Byeon H contributed to this paper; Byeon H designed the study, involved in data interpretation, and developed methodology; Okpete UE and Byeon H assisted with writing the article.
Supported by Basic Science Research Program Through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Funded by the Ministry of Education, No. NRF-RS-2023-00237287 and No. NRF-2021S1A5A8062526; and Local Government-University Cooperation-Based Regional Innovation Projects, No. 2021RIS-003.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Haewon Byeon, DSc, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Department of Digital Anti-aging Healthcare (BK21), Inje University, No. 197 Injero, Gimhae 50834, South Korea. bhwpuma@naver.com
Received: September 5, 2024
Revised: September 24, 2024
Accepted: October 16, 2024
Published online: November 19, 2024
Processing time: 63 Days and 0.3 Hours
Abstract

Adolescent depression is a growing global health concern, affecting 14% of adolescents and leading to severe consequences such as academic failure, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The study by Yu et al, investigates the cognitive and social factors influencing depression in 795 Chinese adolescents. Findings reveal that negative life events (NLEs) and dysfunctional attitudes are strongly associated with depressive symptoms, while social support moderates the impact of NLEs but not dysfunctional attitudes. The study highlights the need for cognitive-behavioural interventions targeting perfectionism and autonomy, and the importance of strengthening social support systems in schools and communities. Culturally sensitive, holistic approaches to adolescent mental health are crucial for addressing both the internal vulnerabilities and external pressures contributing to depression. Further research is needed to explore the roles of peer and parental support and the long-term effects of these factors across diverse cultural contexts.

Keywords: Adolescent depression; Negative life events; Social support; Chinese adolescents; Academic pressure; Mental health interventions

Core Tip: This article examines Yu et al’s study on depression in Chinese adolescents, focusing on how negative life events and dysfunctional attitudes increase depressive symptoms. The study highlights the protective role of social support, showing that strong social connections can reduce the impact of stress on mental health. Culturally tailored strategies are essential for effective treatment, highlighting the need for early identification and interventions to mitigate the long-term effects of adolescent depression on emotional and cognitive development. Clinicians, schools, and communities can play a critical role in developing support systems to help adolescents navigate the challenges that contribute to depression.