Patten, ScottWiens, Kathryn2016-07-212016-07-2120162016http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3146Objective: The aim of this thesis was to determine whether there is evidence of an epidemic of major depression in Canadian adolescents. Methods: Prevalence estimates for major depressive episodes (MDE) were derived from a series of Canadian Community Health Surveys. Meta regression and graphical analyses were used to evaluate trends over time. Results: The findings do not support an increase in MDE prevalence in Canadian adolescents from 2000 to 2014 (=0.0006; p=0.532). Age and sex groups did not modify the observance of trends. A post hoc analysis observed mood disorder diagnosis to increase from 2003 to 2014 (=0.0012; p=0.024). Conclusion: MDE prevalence in adolescents has remained relatively stable over the past 15 years. These results suggest mood disorder diagnosis is increasing, which may contribute to the popular belief of an epidemic in adolescents. Policy makers may need to incorporate increasing need of services into future planning.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Epidemiologyadolescentsmajor depressive episodestrendsCanadaCanadian Community Health Surveymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/26683