Psychological factors linked to self-reported depression symptoms in late adolescence.
BACKGROUND
The likelihood of developing depression increases throughout adolescence.


OBJECTIVE
Understanding the relative contribution of psychosocial and cognitive variables to depressive symptoms during the transitional stage of late adolescence should increase the scope for effective prevention and intervention.


METHODS
The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), Adolescents' Cognitive Style (ACSQ), Relationship Rating Scales (RRS), The Life Events Checklist, and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were completed by 140 adolescents aged 16-18 years.


RESULTS
Alienation from parents and peers, helpless attributional style, gender, and perceived criticism from teachers contributed significantly to variance in scores for depressive symptoms. Negative self-inference and helpless attributions moderated the relationship between perceived criticism and depression in male participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Different approaches to intervention may be more successful for males and females.
Smith
Melanie
M
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Calam
Rachel
R
Bolton
Catherine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011584:Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012918:Social Alienation / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires