Key Characteristics of Major Depressive Disorder Occurring in Childhood, Adolescence, Emerging Adulthood, and Adulthood

This article summarizes characteristics of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project, using data from 816 participants (56% female; 89% White). Contrasting four developmental periods (childhood, 5.0–12.9 years of age; adolescence, 13.0–17.9; emerging adulthood, 18.0–23.9; adulthood, 24–30), we examine MDD incidence/recurrence, gender, comorbidity, duration, and suicide attempts across periods. MDD first...