Depression and school functioning in non-referred adolescents: a pilot study.
Self-image and self-perceived competencies have been considered to be related to depression in childhood and adolescence. Data from literature points to school functioning as one of the most important factors in self-esteem and self-worth during adolescence. Academic self image, defined as the way adolescents represent themselves as students, directly affects the global self-image; for this reason it has important psychopathological implications. The major aim of this preliminary report is to specifically analyze the relationship between academic self-image (assessed with a specific questionnaire), and self-reported depressive symptoms (assessed with the Children's Depression Inventory) in a school sample 150 adolescents. Our data indicate that the emotional beliefs about schooling and learning were significantly related to depressive symptomatology. Females scored higher in CDI and school anxiety. A real school failure did not affect the academic self image. These data seem to suggest that different components of the academic self-image can be differently associated with depressive feelings.
Masi
G
G
University of Pisa, IRCCS Stella Maris, Italy. masi@inpe.unipi.it
Sbrana
B
B
Poli
P
P
Tomaiuolo
F
F
Favilla
L
L
Marcheschi
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires