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Time Period and Birth Cohort Differences in Depressive Symptoms in the U.S., 1982–2013

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  • Jean Twenge

Abstract

Across four surveys (N = 6.9 million), Americans reported substantially higher levels of depressive symptoms, particularly somatic symptoms, in the 2000s–2010s compared to the 1980s–1990s. High school students in the 2010s (vs. the 1980s) reported more somatic symptoms (e.g., trouble sleeping, thinking, and remembering; shortness of breath) and were twice as likely to have seen a professional for mental issues. College students in recent years (vs. the 1980s) were more likely to report feeling overwhelmed and to believe they were below average in mental and physical health, but were less likely to say they felt depressed. Total Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scores were higher among adults in 2000 (vs. 1988), especially somatic symptoms. Teens displayed less suicidal ideation in 2011 versus 1991 and were slightly less likely to commit suicide. Thus, more subtle symptoms of depression became more prevalent even as some overt indicators of depression became less prevalent. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Jean Twenge, 2015. "Time Period and Birth Cohort Differences in Depressive Symptoms in the U.S., 1982–2013," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 121(2), pages 437-454, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:121:y:2015:i:2:p:437-454
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-014-0647-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eckersley, Richard & Dear, Keith, 2002. "Cultural correlates of youth suicide," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 1891-1904, December.
    2. Colin D Mathers & Dejan Loncar, 2006. "Projections of Global Mortality and Burden of Disease from 2002 to 2030," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(11), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Herbst, Chris M., 2011. "‘Paradoxical’ decline? Another look at the relative reduction in female happiness," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 773-788.
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    1. Victoria Blom & Lena V. Kallings & Björn Ekblom & Peter Wallin & Gunnar Andersson & Erik Hemmingsson & Örjan Ekblom & Jonas Söderling & Elin Ekblom Bak, 2020. "Self-Reported General Health, Overall and Work-Related Stress, Loneliness, and Sleeping Problems in 335,625 Swedish Adults from 2000 to 2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Thomas Potrebny & Nora Wiium & Anne Haugstvedt & Ragnhild Sollesnes & Torbjørn Torsheim & Bente Wold & Frode Thuen, 2019. "Health complaints among adolescents in Norway: A twenty-year perspective on trends," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Lazarevic, Vanja & Crovetto, Flavia & Shapiro, Alyson F., 2018. "Challenges of Latino young men and women: Examining the role of gender in discrimination and mental health," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 173-179.
    4. McFarland, Michael J. & Wagner, Brandon G., 2015. "Does a college education reduce depressive symptoms in American young adults?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 75-84.

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