Monica de Sousa Mendes
Clinical Psychologist ,Valiant Clinic , UAE
Title: Empowering resilience in young women: a study of risk and protective factors for depressive symptomatology in a Portuguese young women community sample
Biography
Biography: Monica de Sousa Mendes
Abstract
This study aims to describe the risk factors and protective factors for prevalence of depressive symptomatology among young women in a Portuguese non-clinical representative community sample, with ages between 18 and 29. The center for epidemiologic studies depression scales and a questionnaire including socio-demographic variables, general health variables and women health variables, as well as interpersonal stress factors were mailed to a sample of 1480 subjects. A phone line was available and local papers asked for collaboration. 55 young women aged between 18 and 29 answered the CES-D and the questionnaire and was found an high level in the intensity of depressive symptomatology in this sample (18.56+13.7 CES-D mean score). Logistic regression has shown that young women have a double risk of being depressed in comparison to young men and significant risk increments in depressive symptomatology among rural, non-college and recent unemployed young women. It also has shown an increment risk of depression symptomatology among young women with previous depressive episodes and high concerns about body appearance and weight. Nevertheless, being employed and/or being student and a self-perceived good health state (self-perceived) founded to be high protective factors for depressive symptomatology. The need for prevention-focused programs for that specific gender group (especially recent unemployed young women, with previous depressive episodes and/or high concerns about body appearance and weight) is discussed as well as other programs to empower resilience in young women.