title: Depressive symptoms and self-concept in young people with spina bifida.
abstract: Examined self-reported depressive symptoms in 72 young people with spina bifida, ages 9 to 18:11, and matched able-bodied comparison subjects, using the Dimensions of Depression Profile for Children and Adolescents (Harter & Nowakowski, 1987). Independent variables included gender, self-perceptions (including physical appearance), and perceived social support. Young people with spina bifida were at greater risk of depressive mood, low self-worth, and suicidal ideation. Girls, independent of disability, were at greater risk of depressive mood, low self-worth, and self-blame. Multiple regression analyses suggest that global self-worth serves as a mediating variable for the effect of physical appearance self-concept on depressed mood (particularly in young people with spina bifida), and that perceived parental social support has a direct effect on depressed mood (particularly in girls).
authors.affiliation: Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust, Wales, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Appleton
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Minchom
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Böll
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation