Abstract

Adolescents are at an increased risk of developing mental disorders, including depression. Few studies have longitudinally examined the heterogeneity of depression in the adolescent population. This study investigated the existence of different depressive symptom profiles among adolescents, as well as the ways in which individuals transition between these profiles over time. The study included a large probabilistic sample of adolescents, who were in their first and second year of high school at the study onset. They completed a questionnaire designed to assess depression symptoms according to DSM- 5 criteria at three time points, each six months apart (np₁ = 1338, np₂ = 1214, np₃ = 1331). Using latent profile transition analysis, four distinct and measurement invariant profiles were identified across all waves: No Symptoms, Low Symptoms, Somatic-Vegetative Symptoms, and Severe Depression Symptoms. Adolescents in the Somatic-Vegetative Symptoms profile reported elevated levels of fatigue, sleep disturbances and appetite problems, but no increased suicidality. In contrast, those in the Severe Depression Symptoms profile exhibited elevated levels of nearly all depressive symptoms. Although the profiles demonstrated a degree of temporal stability, transitions between profiles were also observed. Notably, some adolescents transitioned from the Low Symptoms profile into the Somatic-Vegetative Symptoms or even the Severe Depression Symptoms profile. Conversely, many adolescents transitioned from more severe profiles to less severe ones, for example, from Severe Depression Symptoms profile to Somatic-Vegetative Symptoms or Low Symptoms profile. In separate analyses conducted on girls and boys, an additional profile, Suicidality Symptoms, was identified, which pointed to that elevated symptom. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of depression symptomatology in adolescence and highlight the importance of considering different symptom profiles in both the diagnostic and intervention efforts.