The relationship of depressive symptoms with pain and analgesic use in adolescent

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of depressive symptoms, pain (headache, abdominal pain, backache) and analgesic use among adolescents. Additionally, to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and pain and analgesic use in adolescents. The sample of the study consisted of 954 (585 girls, 369 boys) adolescents attending secondary and high school in İzmir. "Descriptive Questionnaire" and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) were used as data collection tools. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. Of the participating adolescents, 61.3% (n=587) were girls and 24.2% (n=231) were 9th grade, mean age (14.07±1.41). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents was determined as 66.2%. The rate of depressive symptoms in girls was 73.8%, and this rate was 54.2% in boys. 20.1% (n=192) of the adolescents stated that they experienced headache, 11.1% (n=106) abdominal pain, 14.9% (n=142) back pain. 9.1% (n=87) of the adolescents stated that they used analgesics for headache, 3.9% (n=37) for abdominal pain, 1.9% (n=18) for back pain. In the study, it was found that there was a significant relationship between depressive symptoms and pain, analgesic use, age, gender, class, maternal education level, perception of economic situation, perception of general health, and perception of school success (p<0.05). It was determined that depressive symptoms were affected by factors such as gender, perception of economic situation, perception of general health, perception of school success, pain experience and analgesic use. During adolescence, it is recommended to plan and implement mental health screening programs for early diagnosis in schools, to identify, evaluate and follow up students who experience frequent pain, frequent analgesic use or habit of use, and other risk factors that may cause depression. Keywords: adolescent, pain, using analgesic, depressive symptom.