The Association Between School-Connectedness Protective Factors and Major Depressive Episodes In The Past 12 Months: A Study of U.S. Adolescents in Grades 9 through 12

Background: Positive social relationships in high school promote adolescent mental health, yet few studies have examined school connectedness as a protective factor for major depressive episodes (MDEs). This study assessed the association between school connectedness and past-year MDEs among a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students. Methods: Data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 5,849) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simultaneous multivariable logistic regression. School connectedness was defined by two proxies: Receiving teacher recognition for doing a good job with schoolwork and participation in one or more school-based activities. Interaction terms were used to assess effect modification by family income and geography. Results: The prevalence of MDEs was 23.7%. Students who received teacher recognition or participated in school-based activities had significantly lower odds of experiencing an MDE. Family income and geographic location did not significantly modify these associations. Conclusions : Teacher recognition and activity participation appear to protect against MDEs across income and geographic groups. Implications for School Health Policy and Practice: Promoting school staff recognition and student participation in activities may help protect adolescent mental health.