A1 Journal article (refereed)
Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks (2024)
Alho, J., Gutvilig, M., Niemi, R., Komulainen, K., Böckerman, P., Webb, R. T., Elovainio, M., & Hakulinen, C. (2024). Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks. JAMA Psychiatry, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1126
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Alho, Jussi; Gutvilig, Mai; Niemi, Ripsa; Komulainen, Kaisla; Böckerman, Petri; Webb, Roger T.; Elovainio, Marko; Hakulinen, Christian
Journal or series: JAMA Psychiatry
ISSN: 2168-622X
eISSN: 2168-6238
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 22/05/2024
Volume: Early online
Publisher: American Medical Association
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1126
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95317
Abstract
Objective: To examine whether having classmates with a mental disorder diagnosis in the ninth grade of comprehensive school is associated with later risk of being diagnosed with a mental disorder.
Design, Setting, and Participants: In a population-based registry study, data on all Finnish citizens born between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1997, whose demographic, health, and school information were linked from nationwide registers were included. Cohort members were followed up from August 1 in the year they completed ninth grade (approximately aged 16 years) until a diagnosis of mental disorder, emigration, death, or December 31, 2019, whichever occurred first. Data analysis was performed from May 15, 2023, to February 8, 2024.
Exposure: The exposure was 1 or more individuals diagnosed with a mental disorder in the same school class in the ninth grade.
Main Outcomes and Measures: Being diagnosed with a mental disorder during follow-up.
Results: Among the 713 809 cohort members (median age at the start of follow-up, 16.1 [IQR, 15.9-16.4] years; 50.4% were males), 47 433 had a mental disorder diagnosis by the ninth grade. Of the remaining 666 376 cohort members, 167 227 persons (25.1%) received a mental disorder diagnosis during follow-up (7.3 million person-years). A dose-response association was found, with no significant increase in later risk of 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), but a 5% increase with more than 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.06). The risk was not proportional over time but was highest during the first year of follow-up, showing a 9% increase for 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.14), and an 18% increase for more than 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.24). Of the examined mental disorders, the risk was greatest for mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. Increased risk was observed after adjusting for an array of parental, school-level, and area-level confounders.
Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that mental disorders might be transmitted within adolescent peer networks. More research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the possible transmission of mental disorders.
Keywords: mental disorders; social networks; peer groups; upper comprehensive school pupils; diagnosis; depression (mental disorders); eating disorders; anxiety disorders; cohort study
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 3