Major Depressive Disorder Research Paper

Explaining the Increase in Lifetime Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder
Monica R. Kelley
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Abstract
This is an abstract. Do not indent. Single paragraph, double spaced. Between 150 and 200 words. Concise summary of key points of research. Should contain at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. May want to include possible implications of research and future work. This is an abstract. Do not indent. Single paragraph, double spaced. Between 150 and 200 words. Concise summary of key points of research. Should contain at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and

2 Background Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, and it is a condition that affects more than 350 million people globally. Its severity varies from person to person, and it can be long-lasting or recurrent. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, which accounts for an estimated 1 million deaths per year in the United States. (Citation) It is a disease that does not discriminate. People of any race, socioeconomic status, and age can develop depression at any given time.
If lifetime prevalence is due to a cohort effect, this would mean that new generations will continue to experience greater lifetime prevalence rates of Major Depressive Disorder. It is important to discover the cause of this apparent increase of lifetime prevalence in order to prevent future generations from suffering greater rates of depression and indirectly preventing other dangers like suicides, which account for an estimated 1 million deaths in America each

What causes this trend? Contrary to expectation, the lifetime prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder appears to decline in older age groups. It appears to be much more prevalent in more recent generations. This could be due to several possible factors. I am particularly interested in examining the possibility of a cohort effect between the generations. A cohort effect is the effect of being born around the same time, exposed to the same events in society, and influenced by the same demographic trends and thus, having similar experiences that make the group unique from other groups. I believe this could be used to explain this pattern. Globally, more than 350 million people suffer with depression that affects their quality of life. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, which accounts for an estimated 1 million deaths per year in the United States. If lifetime prevalence is due to a cohort effect, this would mean that new generations will continue to experience greater lifetime prevalence rates of Major Depressive Disorder. It is important to discover the cause of this apparent increase of lifetime prevalence in order to prevent future generations from suffering greater rates of depression and indirectly preventing other dangers like suicides, which account for an estimated 1 million deaths in America each