Psychosocial factors associated with depression severity in pregnant adolescents

Adolescent depression during pregnancy is associated with increased morbidity for the teen and her infant. This cross-sectional study explored the relationships among the independent histories of alcohol use, drug use, depression, and abuse (physical or sexual) on depression severity in a diverse group of 116 pregnant adolescents (mean age = 16) who attended an urban prenatal clinic. Ever having had an alcoholic drink was a significant predictor of higher depressive scores on Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised, β = 3.3 (0.8, 5.7); p