A recent study from the University of Gothenburg highlights a significant shift in the mental wellbeing of teenagers in Sweden over the past two decades. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, reveals that while more young people report high mental wellbeing, those facing mental health struggles are rating their depressive symptoms much higher than previous cohorts at the same age.
The study compared two groups of adolescents, one aged 13–16 from 2004 and another from 2019–2020, to assess changes in depressive symptoms. Participants self-reported their symptoms using the internationally recognized Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), a well-established tool for evaluating depression in youth.
A Shift Toward Extremes in Mental Health
While the overall percentage of adolescents reporting depressive symptoms has risen modestly—from 21% in 2004 to 29% in 2019–2020—this increase is not regarded as drastic. More striking, however, is the polarization of mental health outcomes. The proportion of teenagers who report feeling extremely well has risen dramatically. In the 2019–2020 cohort, 33% scored very low on the CDI, indicating strong mental wellbeing, compared to just 15% in 2004.
At the other end of the spectrum, adolescents struggling with depressive symptoms in the more recent cohort reported significantly more negative thoughts and self-deprecation compared to their peers in 2004. This trend is particularly pronounced among young women, who are notably more affected by feelings of self-loathing and helplessness.
Carl Wikberg, a district nurse and adjunct senior lecturer in community medicine and public health at the University of Gothenburg, emphasized the concerning nature of these findings. “Those who report high levels of depressive symptoms today rate themselves significantly higher than previous cohorts. We also see notable increases in certain areas, particularly self-deprecation—something that primarily affects young women,” he said.
Despair and Hope Amidst Troubling Findings
The CDI assessment evaluates various dimensions of mental wellbeing, including mood, self-esteem, effectiveness, and interpersonal relationships. Among the 2019–2020 cohort, three statements particularly stood out among those with high depressive symptoms: “Nothing is fun at all,” “I am bad all the time,” and “I can never be as good as other kids.”
While these findings may be alarming, Wikberg points out that there is also a positive aspect. “The fact that some young people report strong self-loathing is concerning and can make us feel despair. However, there is also hope: we are seeing a larger proportion of adolescents at the very lowest end of the scale, meaning their mental wellbeing has improved. So, the trend is not entirely negative,” he explained.
The Role of Mental Health Awareness and Early Intervention
Although the study does not definitively explain the causes of these changes, it highlights the growing public discourse surrounding mental health as a potential factor. A more open approach to discussing mental health may influence how young people perceive and report their symptoms. The study also emphasizes the need for effective support systems within schools and primary care settings to identify at-risk youth early on.
The researchers stress the importance of utilizing tools like the CDI to screen for depressive symptoms, which can help detect and support adolescents who may be struggling. The study involved 617 adolescents aged 13–16 from the 2019–2020 cohort, as part of a broader research project on depression, and compared them to 80 adolescents from the 2004 cohort who participated in a CDI validation study in Sweden.
The findings serve as a reminder of the importance of ongoing efforts to support youth mental health, particularly for those who may be experiencing severe depressive symptoms.
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