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Prevalence and Risk Indicators of Depressed Mood in On-Reserve First Nations Youth

  • Quantitative Research
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Abstract

Objectives

The first objective was to determine the prevalence of depressive mood in First Nations youth in school grades 5 through 8 in seven onreserve communities. The second objective was to determine the unadjusted and adjusted risk indicators associated with depressed mood in these youth.

Methods

Students in grades 5 through 8 in the seven reserve communities of the Saskatoon Tribal Council were asked to complete a paper and pencil, comprehensive youth health survey in May 2010. An eight-stage consent protocol was followed prior to participation.

Results

Out of 271 students eligible to participate, 204 youth completed the survey for a response rate of 75.3%.

Using the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression scale, 25% of the youth had moderate depressive symptoms. After cross-tabulation, 1 socioeconomic variable, 10 social variables, 3 social support variables, 1 self-esteem variable, 5 parental relationship variables and 3 bullying variables were associated with depressed mood.

Logistic regression was used to determine four independent risk indicators associated with having depressed mood in First Nations youth, including: 1) not having worked through things that happened during childhood, 2) not having someone who shows love and affection, 3) having a lot of arguments with parents and 4) being physically bullied at least once per week.

Conclusions

Our study found high rates of depressed mood in on-reserve First Nations youth. These youth are now at increased risk for problems later in life unless successful interventions can be implemented.

Résumé

Objectifs

Notre premier objectif était de calculer la prévalence de l’humeur dépressive chez les jeunes des Premières nations fréquentant l’école (5e à 8e année) dans sept communautés de réserves. Notre second objectif était de déterminer les indicateurs de risque ajustés et non ajustés associés à l’humeur dépressive chez ces jeunes.

Méthode

En mai 2010, nous avons demandé aux élèves de la 5e à la 8e année des sept communautés de réserves du conseil tribal de Saskatoon de remplir sur papier un questionnaire exhaustif sur la santé des jeunes. Un protocole de consentement en huit étapes a été suivi avant de les laisser participer.

Résultats

Sur les 271 élèves admissibles, 204 ont rempli le questionnaire, soit un taux de réponse de 75,3 %.

Selon l’échelle de dépression du Center for Epidemiological Studies, 25 % des jeunes éprouvaient des symptômes dépressifs modérés. Après tabulation en croix, 1 variable socioéconomique, 10 variables sociales, 3 variables du soutien social, 1 variable de l’estime de soi, 5 variables des relations parentales et 3 variables de l’intimidation étaient associées à l’humeur dépressive.

Par régression logistique, nous avons repéré quatre indicateurs de risque indépendamment associés à l’humeur dépressive chez les jeunes des Premières nations: 1) ne pas avoir résolu des traumatismes survenus durant l’enfance, 2) n’avoir personne qui leur montre de l’amour et de l’affection, 3) avoir beaucoup de disputes avec les parents et 4) subir de l’intimidation physique au moins une fois par semaine.

Conclusion

Nous avons observé des taux élevés d’humeur dépressive chez les jeunes des Premières nations dans les réserves. Ces jeunes courent maintenant un risque accru d’avoir des problèmes plus tard dans leur vie si l’on ne met pas en oeuvre des interventions efficaces pour les aider.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Mark E. Lemstra PhD & Raymond Tempier MD

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada

    Mark E. Lemstra PhD, Lauren Redgate MD & Meghan Garner MD

  3. Saskatoon Tribal Council, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Mark E. Lemstra PhD, Marla R. Rogers MPA & Adam T. Thompson BA

  4. School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Mark E. Lemstra PhD & John S. Moraros PhD

Authors
  1. Mark E. Lemstra PhD
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  2. Marla R. Rogers MPA
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  3. Adam T. Thompson BA
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  4. Lauren Redgate MD
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  5. Meghan Garner MD
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Correspondence to Mark E. Lemstra PhD.

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Conflict of Interest: None to declare.

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Lemstra, M.E., Rogers, M.R., Thompson, A.T. et al. Prevalence and Risk Indicators of Depressed Mood in On-Reserve First Nations Youth. Can J Public Health 102, 258–263 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404044

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404044

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