Social isolation as a core feature of adolescent depression: a qualitative study in Porto Alegre, Brazil

• Published in: International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 1978374
• Main Authors: Viduani, Anna, Benetti, Silvia, Martini, Thaís, Buchweitz, Claudia, Ottman, Katherine, Wahid, Syed Shabab, Fisher, Helen L., Mondelli, Valeria, Kohrt, Brandon A., Kieling, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01-01-2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: adolescence; Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Brazil; Coping; Depression; Disengagement; Disruption; Empirical Studies; Focus Groups; Health promotion; Humans; Interpersonal relations; Mental depression; Narratives; Parents & parenting; Policy making; Qualitative Research; Social interaction; Social Isolation; Social workers; Stakeholders; Teachers; Teenagers; Brazil; Brazil; adolescence; social isolation; Depression; qualitative research
• ISSN: 1748-2631; 1748-2623; 1748-2631
• DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2021.1978374

The goal of this study was to explore the perspectives of different stakeholders regarding the experiences of adolescent depression in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
We conducted 54 key-informant interviews with adolescents, parents, social workers, health workers, educators, and policy makers and two focus group discussions with 5 adolescents and 6 parents. Data were analysed using a framework approach and guided by the adolescents' personal narratives, with adult stakeholders' views supplementing these perspectives.
Four main themes emerged, creating a relational model of adolescent depression that highlights isolation as a central component of the experience. In relation to the self, the experience of depression led to a feeling of detachment from others resulting from the sensation that usual interactions did not have the same meaning as before. This disruption of interactions is perceived as self-isolation and is described in relation to coping mechanisms.
These findings shed light on important aspects of the identification and management of adolescent depression in Brazil. Since social interaction was a core component of the descriptions and experiences of depression, we speculate that promising interventions are those that could enhance the promotion of a supportive environment and interpersonal relationships.