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Gender‐Related Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Turkish Adolescents
Author(s) -
Alpaslan Ahmet Hamdi,
Kocak Ugur,
Avci Kadriye
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/jcap.12131
Subject(s) - loneliness , strengths and difficulties questionnaire , clinical psychology , depression (economics) , psychology , turkish , mental health , population , depressive symptoms , social support , psychiatry , medicine , anxiety , linguistics , philosophy , environmental health , economics , psychotherapist , macroeconomics
PROBLEM Currently more adolescents suffer from mental health problems than compared to the past. PURPOSE 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. FINDINGS 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). CONCLUSION We suggest further studies to confirm these results as well as establishing strategies for better detection of depressive symptoms when working on adolescents.