title: Gender-Related Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Turkish Adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently more adolescents suffer from mental health problems than compared to the past.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to extend the knowledge of depressive symptoms in adolescence and to determine the gender-related factors associated with it.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of (N = 487) adolescents. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-S), and UCLA loneliness scale (UCLA-LS) were completed by the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the study population, 26.6% (n = 130) scored ≥ 19 on the CDI, which was the cut-off point. UCLA-LS, hyperactivity and conduct problems, and peer problems subscale scores of SDQ-S were found significantly higher in males (p < .05). Emotional symptoms, pro-social behavior subscale scores of SDQ-S, and a family member, a friend subscale scores of MSPSS were found significantly higher in females (p < .05). For males, loneliness and hyperactivity and conduct problems, while for females, emotional symptoms and loneliness (p < .05) were predictive variables. Pro-social behavior and perceived family member support were protective variables for females scoring high enough to be diagnosed with depression (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest further studies to confirm these results as well as establishing strategies for better detection of depressive symptoms when working on adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Ahmet Hamdi
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Alpaslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine.
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kocak
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Avci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescence; depressive symptom; gender