The role of ‘modern-type depression” in youth depression: sex-based differences and associated affective temperaments

The emergence of new psychopathological constructs, e.g. “modern-type depression” (MTD), arose concerns in diagnosis and treatment of youth depression. Our study explored the role of MTD within an Italian youth sample (n = 273; aged 14–25) with major depressive disorder (MDD), through MINI 7.0.0, BDI-II, TACS-22 and TEMPS-M. Around 49.8% of MTD depression was found, specifically among females (p < 0.001). Only depressive and cyclothymic temperaments together with TACS-22 “complaint” subscale were found positive predictors of depressive severity (F(4,170)=55.872, p < 0.001, R2=0.568). Binomial logistic regression analyses found sex differences in the explanatory effects of affective temperamental profiles on the likelihood of developing MTD depression. In males, both depressive and cyclothymic temperaments (both, p = 0.004) are risky factors, while hyperthymic temperament is a protective factor (p = 0.010). In females, only cyclothymic temperament was found to be a positive predictor (p = 0.018). According to our findings, MTD may have a clinical relevance in youth MDD. There is the need to routinely include MTD assessment in clinical practice for a better MDD characterization and for offering tailored therapeutic approaches to MTD depression, based on sex differences and affective temperamental profile.