Depressive Symptoms in Preadolescent Children
Author Information
Author(s): Marita McCabe, Lina Ricciardelli, Sophie Banfield
Primary Institution: Deakin University
Hypothesis
Negative affect, poor self-concept, and poor peer popularity would become more severe as the level of depressive symptoms increased.
Conclusion
The study found that 23% of children were either at-risk or clinically depressed, with those in these groups showing poorer psychosocial functioning compared to their peers.
Supporting Evidence
- 23% of children were either in the 'at-risk' or clinical range of depression.
- Children in the clinical and 'at-risk' range showed higher negative affect and lower positive affect.
- Peer ratings indicated that only children with clinical levels of depression were seen as less popular.
Takeaway
Some kids feel really sad and have trouble making friends, and it's important to help them before they get worse.
Methodology
The study used self-report measures to assess depressive symptoms, affect, self-concept, and peer-rated popularity among children aged 7 to 13.
Potential Biases
The reliance on self-reports may introduce bias, as children's perceptions may not align with those of parents or teachers.
Limitations
The study was cross-sectional, limiting the ability to determine the direction of relationships between variables.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 270 boys and 240 girls aged 7 to 13 from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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