How Stressful Life Events May Increase Depression Risk in Adolescents

by Craig Perryman | 13 Jul 2026

At a glance

Stressful life events increase depression risk: Teenagers who experienced more negative life events were more likely to report worsening depressive symptoms over time.
Girls may be more vulnerable: Stressful experiences were linked to greater increases in negative self-evaluation, such as feelings of worthlessness and self-criticism, particularly among girls.
Early support is important: Recognising the impact of stressful life events and changes in self-esteem could help identify young people at greater risk and provide support before symptoms become more severe.

Girls appeared particularly vulnerable

The association between stressful life events and depression was especially strong among girls. Those who experienced a higher number of negative events reported much larger increases in negative self-evaluation than boys who experienced similar levels of stress.

The researchers suggest this may indicate that girls are more likely to internalise stressful experiences, increasing their risk of developing depressive symptoms.

Summarising their findings, the authors wrote:

"The present data supported the well-established association between negative events and depressive symptoms, particularly negative self-evaluation symptoms and among females. Data support efforts to prevent depression among ELA-exposed [early life adversity-exposed] adolescents regardless of ongoing stress exposure as well as sex-specific symptom targets that may mitigate risk."

Supporting young people before symptoms worsen

The findings add to growing evidence that stressful life experiences can have an important impact on adolescent mental health, particularly for young people who have already experienced adversity earlier in life. They also suggest that recognising changes in how teenagers think about themselves could help identify those at greater risk of depression.

The researchers note several limitations. The study involved a relatively small group of adolescents from southern California, meaning the findings may not apply to all populations. In addition, because the study was observational, it cannot determine whether negative life events directly caused the increase in depressive symptoms.

Even so, the research highlights the importance of providing timely support for young people experiencing significant life stress, particularly those who may already be vulnerable to developing depression.