Resilience and trajectories of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in the context of exposure to acne: Findings from the Lifelines Cohort Study

This longitudinal cohort study explored resilience in adolescents with and without acne regarding development of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, and investigated the contribution of risk/protective factors. Participants were n = 482 13- to 17-years-olds from the Lifelines Cohort Study. Data were collected at three times (2007–2023). Two group-based trajectory models were fitted. Factors across social and built environments (family functioning, parental rearing, air quality) were accounted for using regression models. All variables except air quality used self-report measures. Two trajectories of suicidal ideation were identified: ‘Low’ ( n = 456); and ‘Early Adult Peak’ ( n = 26). Two trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified: ‘Low’ ( n = 421); and ‘Elevated’ ( n = 61). Regarding risk/protective factors, higher acne severity increased odds of membership in the ‘Early Adult Peak’ trajectory. Findings suggest that severe acne exposure in adolescence may increase risks of experiencing suicidal ideation during the transition to adulthood. Implications involve treating youth with acne, particularly severe cases, with a psychodermatological approach.