Abstract
The transition to adolescence marks a time of sharply increased vulnerability to the development of depression, particularly
among girls. Past research has examined isolated risk factors from individual theoretical models (e.g., biological, interpersonal,
and cognitive) of depression, but few have examined integrative models. This study investigated the conjoint effects of early
pubertal timing and popularity in the longitudinal prediction of depressive symptoms. A total of 319 girls and 294 boys (ages
11–14) provided information on their pubertal status, depressive symptoms, and the social status (i.e., popularity) of their
peers. Adolescents completed a second measure of depressive symptoms 11 months after the initial time point. Findings supported
an integrated biological-interpersonal model in explaining the development of depressive symptoms during adolescence. Early
pubertal development was associated with increase in depressive symptoms only when accompanied by low levels of popularity.
High levels of popularity buffered the association between early pubertal development and later depressive symptoms. Unexpectedly,
these results were significant both for girls and boys. Results are discussed in terms of dynamic systems theories.
among girls. Past research has examined isolated risk factors from individual theoretical models (e.g., biological, interpersonal,
and cognitive) of depression, but few have examined integrative models. This study investigated the conjoint effects of early
pubertal timing and popularity in the longitudinal prediction of depressive symptoms. A total of 319 girls and 294 boys (ages
11–14) provided information on their pubertal status, depressive symptoms, and the social status (i.e., popularity) of their
peers. Adolescents completed a second measure of depressive symptoms 11 months after the initial time point. Findings supported
an integrated biological-interpersonal model in explaining the development of depressive symptoms during adolescence. Early
pubertal development was associated with increase in depressive symptoms only when accompanied by low levels of popularity.
High levels of popularity buffered the association between early pubertal development and later depressive symptoms. Unexpectedly,
these results were significant both for girls and boys. Results are discussed in terms of dynamic systems theories.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-010-9467-1
- Authors
- Hanneke A. Teunissen, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Post box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Caroline B. Adelman, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Mitchell J. Prinstein, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Renske Spijkerman, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Post box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Evelien A. P. Poelen, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Post box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Rutger C. M. E. Engels, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Post box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Ron H. J. Scholte, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Post box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627