Reciprocal developmental pathways between future-related thinking and symptoms of adolescent depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

Adolescence is a time when important decisions about the future are made and vulnerability to mental health problems increases. We reviewed longitudinal studies examining the reciprocal pathways between future-related thinking (hopelessness, hope, optimism/positive future expectations) and adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms. Evidence from 22 studies (N = 10,682) found that negative future-related thinking predicted subsequent depression (r = 0.27, p < .001), an effect still significant after controlling for baseline depression (r = 0.23, p < .001). Higher hopelessness (r = 0.34, p < .001), lower hope (r = 0.16, p < .001), and reduced optimism/positive future expectations (r = 0.18, p < .001) were associated with subsequently increased depressive symptoms. Negative future-related thinking also predicted later increased anxiety symptoms (r = 0.15, p = .021). Concerning the reciprocal pathway, depressive symptoms were associated with later negative future-related thinking (r = 0.32, p < .001), which remained after baseline levels of future-related thinking were controlled (r = 0.07, p = .02). There were insufficient studies to infer reciprocal links between anxiety and future-related thinking. Our analyses provided evidence of a reciprocal developmental relationship between depressive symptoms and future-related thinking, implying a negative cycle. Identifying precursors of this cycle could provide the basis for depression prevention in adolescents and promote better decision-making about the future.