Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study
Introduction: This qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experiences of adolescents with depression seeking help in our healthcare system, with the focus on initial symptoms, experience of care and reflection after recovery. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 adoles...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Singapore Medical Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2022-064 |
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| _version_ | 1823863783755350016 |
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| author | Ngar Yee Poon Cheryl Bee-Lock Loh |
| author_facet | Ngar Yee Poon Cheryl Bee-Lock Loh |
| author_sort | Ngar Yee Poon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
This qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experiences of adolescents with depression seeking help in our healthcare system, with the focus on initial symptoms, experience of care and reflection after recovery.
Methods:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 adolescents, aged between 13 and 19 years, who were diagnosed and treated for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition major depressive disorder and clinically judged to have recovered at the time of recruitment. Data were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis, with a focus on how the adolescents spoke about their experience of depression.
Results:
The findings suggested that our adolescent participants had initially tried managing depression within their own circle, and that thoughts of suicide and self-harm, as well as anhedonia–avolition symptoms were the most challenging to deal with. Recovered participants were observed to express a high degree of empathy towards others going through depression.
Conclusion:
This study is the first to have surveyed adolescents in our Asian city-state on multiple aspects of their experience of depression. It allows a wide-ranging description of this condition and has the potential to improve understanding and inform care delivery. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a7d5bf96712741cc89721d25b365341e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0037-5675 2737-5935 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Singapore Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-a7d5bf96712741cc89721d25b365341e2025-02-09T10:25:26ZengWolters Kluwer – Medknow PublicationsSingapore Medical Journal0037-56752737-59352024-10-01651057157810.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2022-064Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative studyNgar Yee PoonCheryl Bee-Lock LohIntroduction: This qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experiences of adolescents with depression seeking help in our healthcare system, with the focus on initial symptoms, experience of care and reflection after recovery. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 adolescents, aged between 13 and 19 years, who were diagnosed and treated for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition major depressive disorder and clinically judged to have recovered at the time of recruitment. Data were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis, with a focus on how the adolescents spoke about their experience of depression. Results: The findings suggested that our adolescent participants had initially tried managing depression within their own circle, and that thoughts of suicide and self-harm, as well as anhedonia–avolition symptoms were the most challenging to deal with. Recovered participants were observed to express a high degree of empathy towards others going through depression. Conclusion: This study is the first to have surveyed adolescents in our Asian city-state on multiple aspects of their experience of depression. It allows a wide-ranging description of this condition and has the potential to improve understanding and inform care delivery.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2022-064adolescentasiadepressionqualitative studysingapore |
| spellingShingle | Ngar Yee Poon Cheryl Bee-Lock Loh Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study Singapore Medical Journal adolescent asia depression qualitative study singapore |
| title | Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Understanding adolescent depression in Singapore: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | understanding adolescent depression in singapore a qualitative study |
| topic | adolescent asia depression qualitative study singapore |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2022-064 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ngaryeepoon understandingadolescentdepressioninsingaporeaqualitativestudy AT cherylbeelockloh understandingadolescentdepressioninsingaporeaqualitativestudy |