Factors associated with self reported depression and self-esteem among school-going adolescents from a geographically defined region in Ireland

Background Recent reviews indicate that mental health problems in the young are increasing. Aims To measure the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, depression and low self-esteem among Irish post-primary students. Method 1,428 students, randomly selected from a sample of post-primary schools, were given an anonymised questionnaire. Analyses included bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results Questionnaires were completed by 992 (69.9%) respondents. 206 (20.8%) had a high depression score. Being from a single parent family (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.4, p<0.001); having low self esteem (OR 13.44 95% CI 8.9 -20.3, p<0.001); being female (OR, 3.7, 95% CI 2.5-5.6 p<0.001) and having a low fitness level (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.8 p<0.006) were independently associated with a high depression score. Conclusions The level of self-reported depression was high among these respondents and risk factors identified include having low self-esteem, being female, being from a single parent family and having a low fitness level.