Stress over studying at 15 linked to depressive symptoms at 22 - study

Teenagers who feel intense pressure to study at age 15 are more likely to report symptoms of depression later in life - and this link persists for many years, up to age 22. These findings were made by researchers from University College London (UCL) in a paper published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

How the study was conducted

The researchers used data from the UK's long-term ALSPAC ("Children of the 90s") project: 4,714 adolescents born between 1991 and 1992. Academic pressure was measured at age 15 using a questionnaire (scale 0-9) - including anxiety about academic performance, feeling pressurised at home and the importance of 'doing exams properly'.

Symptoms of depression were then monitored five times between the ages of 16-22, and self-harm four times between the ages of 16-24.

What they found

• Every +1 blood pressure score at age 15 was associated with an average of +0.43 points on the depressive symptom scale (after accounting for comorbidities). The association was stronger at age 16(+0.53), but persisted at age 22(+0.35).

• On self-harm: each +1 pressure score corresponded to about +8% to the probability of self-harm (aOR 1.08), and the effect did not "disappear" with follow-up time.

What this means

The authors suggest that academic pressure is a potentially modifiable risk factor. That is, if schools and the education system can reduce "overload" (e.g., structuring grading differently, supporting social-emotional skills, changing school culture), it may help reduce depression and self-harm in adolescents.

Important caveats

The study is observational - it shows a link, but doesn't prove that pressure directly causes depression. Plus, the participants were 15 years old in 2006-2007, so the authors separately note that more recent data is needed (given the subsequent reforms and pandemic).