Factors associated with depression in navy recruits

The age of onset for depression is decreasing and seems to be linked with major life events. This study examined predisposing and concomitant factors related to Navy recruit basic training, and consisted of 443 recruits (200 with depressive symptoms and 243 matched comparison subjects). Two hypotheses were proposed, and both were supported by results of the study. Depressed recruits were more likely to be separated from the Navy and not complete training. They had significantly more predisposing factors than comparison recruits including family history of mental illness, family history of alcohol abuse, and history of psychiatric problems. They also had significantly more concomitant factors such as higher levels of stress, more loneliness, more life-change events, lower sense of belonging, more emotion-oriented coping, and less task-oriented coping. Although the study examined Navy recruits, the findings are applicable to depression in young people. This study adds to understanding the role of life stressors, interpersonal functioning, and development of depressive symptoms.