Adolescent Depression in Jordan Symptoms Profile, Gender Differences, and the Role of Social Context

The influence of gender and other individual and context characteristics on the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms among Jordanian adolescents remains unclear. The aims of the current study were to: (a) characterize depressive symptoms profiles for Jordanian adolescents; and (b) examine gender differences in the type, severity, and correlates of depressive symptoms. Cross-sectional data were collected from 2,349 Jordanian adolescents ages 12 to 17 using a nationally representative school survey. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Female adolescents had significantly higher mean depression scores (17.9 [SD = 11.6], 95% confidence interval [CI] [17.3, 18.5]) than their male counterparts (13.8 [SD = 10.2], 95% CI [13.2, 14.5]). Approximately 41% of girls and 26% of boys reported scores indicating moderate to severe depression. Sex differences and socially constructed gender differences need to be adequately considered in the planning and delivery of mental health care for adolescent depression. If the risk for depression is gender-specific, prevention strategies cannot be gender-neutral.