Longitudinal analysis of adolescent depression: Application of latent growth curve models

Abstract

In order to assess changes in level of depression from middle-adolescence to young adulthood, the present study applied latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) analysis to Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale responses from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Sex, standardized age, and ethnicity were used as model predictors of initial level and rate of change of depressive symptoms. Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses conducted on each wave of Add Health CES-D responses validated scale reliability. LGCM results show that while females have a higher initial mean depression level, this difference lessens over time. African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic adolescents have higher initial depression levels than other ethnicities and maintain this disparity over time. All adolescents show a trend towards lower depression level over time, from adolescence to young adulthood.