Psychiatry Res. 2026 Mar 9;360:117082. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117082. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Mental health in adolescents has been a growing problem in recent decades. However, comprehensive discussion of the research on the distal and proximal factors related to adolescent mental health were limited and the evidence was lacking. This study aimed to explore the result of adverse childhood experiences and biological rhythms for depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents.
METHODS: The data used in this study were obtained from China in 2021 (as baseline) and 2023 (as follow-up). Participants provided self-reported information through an anonymous questionnaire. Logistic regression, cluster analysis, restriction cubic spline plots and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: The study involved 2103 teenagers (mean age 15 years old), consisting of 1089 females and 1014 males. Multiple logistic regression results based on this subgroup showed that higher scores on either ACEs or biorhythms were associated with a greater risk of concurrent depressive-anxiety symptoms at baseline and follow-up, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 14.46 (7.14-29.26), 12.09 (5.83-22.08), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the joint predictive effect of the ACEs and biorhythms were 0.664 for depressive symptoms, 0.656 for anxiety symptoms, and 0.667 for co-morbidity.
CONCLUSION: These findings emphasize the necessity of balancing past risk factors with emerging risk factors (biorhythms) in the precaution and management of adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms problems.
PMID:41844454 | DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117082
