Psychological Correlates of Adolescent Depression

Diane Brage, Christie Campbell‐Grossman, Jennifer Dunkel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. To identify psychological correlates of adolescent depression. METHODS. The subjects (N = 156) represented a convenience sample of adolescents who were attending public high schools in four Midwestern rural communities. Instruments used were: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale of Children, Loneliness Inventory‐Short Form, Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, Family Strengths Inventory, and Parent‐Adolescent Communication Inventory. FINDINGS. Higher levels of depression were associated with loneliness (r = .646, p ≤ .002) and low self‐esteem (r = .596, p ≤ .002). Depression was negatively related to family strengths (r = ‐.293, p ≤ .002). Older adolescents were more depressed than younger adolescents (r = .332, p ≤ .002). A stepwise regression identified three pertinent factors associated with depression: loneliness, self‐esteems, and age. CONCLUSION. Implications for nursing practice include interventions that minimize the exacerbating factors associated with depression in the adolescent population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)23-30
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1995

Keywords

  • Adolescence
  • depression
  • family strengths
  • loneliness
  • parent‐adolescent communication
  • self‐esteem

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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