Factors Predicting Depression Among Thai Adolescents During the Transition From the COVID–19 Pandemic to the Endemic Phase

BACKGROUND: Adolescent depression is a major public health issue in Thailand, with post-pandemic rates at 27%-37%. While perceived stress, coping, and social support are linked to depressive symptoms, their combined predictive contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic-to-endemic transition are underexplored among Southeast Asian adolescents. PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of perceived stress, approach coping, avoidance coping, and social support on depressive symptoms among Thai adolescents during this transition. METHODOLOGY: A predictive cross-sectional design was used with 605 Thai high school students via multistage sampling from two central Thailand schools (September 2023-March 2024). Measures included the CES-D, Perceived Stress Scale, Self-Report Coping Measure, and revised Thai Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Hierarchical multiple regression assessed the variance explained by each predictor. RESULTS: = 0.012). Approach coping and social support did not reach independent significance in the final model after perceived stress and avoidance coping were accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived stress and avoidance coping are key modifiable predictors of adolescent depression during Thailand's pandemic-to-endemic transition. School-based psychiatric nurses should integrate stress screening, adaptive coping skills training, and family-inclusive psychoeducation to address the mental health burden among Thai youth.