Factors that influence the onset of depression in children and adolescents

Depression in childhood and adolescence is the result of a complex interaction of biological, psychosocial, and cultural factors. Far from being a single cause, it is rather a web of elements that converge to varying degrees depending on the individual, their environment, and their personal and family history. The main factors involved are described below.

Biological factors: family history and genetics

Biological predisposition is a fundamental component in the onset of depression.

It has been shown that children of parents who have suffered from depressive disorders are at a significantly higher risk of developing depressive symptoms than the general population.

This family tendency is partly explained by shared genetic makeup, but also by emotional coping and parenting patterns that are passed down from generation to generation.

Recent studies, many of them longitudinal, have followed families with a history of depression for decades, observing how symptoms manifest from an early age, even in children under three years of age.

This evidence reinforces the need for a comprehensive clinical evaluation when there is a family history of depression, especially in the presence of other clinical signs such as sleep disturbances, appetite changes, irritability, or loss of interest in play.

Psychosocial factors: violence, poverty, school dropout, and the pandemic

Adverse social conditions play a decisive role in children's mental health.

Poverty, domestic violence, forced displacement, school dropout, and neglect are factors that not only increase emotional stress but also undermine children's emotional and cognitive development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, there was a significant increase in depressive symptoms among children and adolescents.

Isolation, disruption of school routines, loss of social ties, and, in many cases, prolonged exposure to conflictive or neglectful family environments contributed to this silent mental health crisis.

In many countries, displaced populations and victims of armed conflict are particularly vulnerable, with childhood depression often accompanied by adjustment disorders, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. In these contexts, early and psychosocial intervention is especially important to break the cycle of psychological suffering.

Cultural and territorial factors: differences by region and environment

The perception, expression, and management of depression also vary according to cultural and geographical environment. In rural areas, for example, emotional suffering has historically been minimized, leading to an underestimation of depressive symptoms and a low rate of consultation.

Similarly, certain cultures may show greater rejection or stigmatization of mental illness, hindering timely access to health services. These differences require a sensitive intercultural approach that recognizes the particularities of the territory and adapts intervention strategies to the context.