Examining the longitudinal nature of depressive symptoms in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Depression during adolescence is associated with a number of negative outcomes in later life. Research has examined the longitudinal nature of adolescent depression in order to identify patterns of depressive mood, the early antecedents and later consequences. However, rich longitudinal data is needed to better address these questions. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an intergenerational birth cohort with nine repeated assessments of depressive symptoms throughout late childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Depressive symptoms are measured using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ). Many studies have used ALSPAC to examine the longitudinal nature of depressive symptoms in combination with the wealth of early life exposure and later outcome data. This data note provides a summary of the SMFQ data, where the data are stored in ALSPAC, the characteristics and distribution of the SMFQ, and highlights some considerations for researchers wanting to use the SMFQ data in ALSPAC.