Scoping Review of Non-Clinical, Proximal Factors Associated with Depression, Anxiety, or Mood Changes for Adolescent Women
Name: Sam Kokoska
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2023
Mentor: Kathleen Pike, PhD
Abstract
The focus of this scoping review is to identify social and environmental proximal factors, outside of clinical care, that are associated with depression and anxiety for adolescent women ages 14-21. Anxiety and depressed mood are particularly concerning in adolescent women, as the adolescent period is when most women experience worsening symptoms and receive diagnoses of mental health conditions. This comprehensive review focuses on proximal factors that increase risk for anxiety or mood disorders or promote mental health within the adolescent period. We were particularly focused on proximal factors that exist and are potentially actionable within the adolescent period for the purpose of informing evidence-based intervention strategies. There are many opportunities to promote mental health and prevent depression and anxiety outside of clinical care, but a scoping review has not been completed to identify factors outside of clinical care that impact mood and anxiety for adolescent women. We performed a scoping review with pre-determined eligibility criteria and synthesized selected publications’ data and results. The following proximal social and environmental factors emerged: self-care, systemic factors, movement, interpersonal relationships, digital health, trauma, diet, sleep, green space, drugs, and oppression based on personal factors. Factors within these spaces had varying degrees of associations with anxiety and mood outcomes. These results highlight that mood and anxiety of adolescent women are multidetermined, with individual, community, and systems level contributing factors. Given our findings, we recommend actionable ways forward for individuals, institutions, and organizations to improve mental health of adolescent women.