Scientists revealed how to create a psychological shield against depression

American psychologists have discovered that having a sense of direction in one's life during late adolescence significantly reduces the risk of developing depression in subsequent years. The study is published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research (JPR).

Researchers analyzed data from more than 2,800 participants in the longitudinal Panel Study of Income Dynamics, who at the age of 17-19 evaluated how often during the past month they felt that their life had direction and meaning. Then, for almost a decade, specialists tracked which of them would experience new episodes of depression - initially people with clinical signs of the illness were excluded.

The results were unambiguous: each standard increase in the "purpose in life" indicator reduced the risk of subsequent depression by approximately 35%. Moreover, this effect persisted throughout the entire observation period - from late adolescence to age 28. The relationship remained significant after accounting for gender, race, family wealth, parents' education level, and even history of psychiatric diagnoses.

The authors offered several explanations. Awareness of life purpose can serve as a kind of internal "framework" that helps withstand the uncertainty characteristic of late adolescence. Adolescents oriented toward future goals likely better endure everyday stressors and regulate emotions more effectively, are less likely to resort to harmful behavioral strategies, and usually have stronger social connections - all of which reduce the likelihood of depression.