Abstract
The role of rejection sensitivity as a critical diathesis moderating the link between adolescent relational stressors and
depressive symptoms was examined using multi-method, multi-reporter data from a diverse community sample of 173 adolescents,
followed from age 16 to 18. Relational stressors examined included emotional abuse, maternal behavior undermining adolescents’
autonomy and relatedness, and lack of support from close peers. As hypothesized, multiple relational stressors were found
to predict the future development of depressive symptoms, but as hypothesized predictions existed primarily for adolescents
who were highly rejection sensitive. Results are discussed in terms of a diathesis-stress model of depression and suggest
that though relational stressors have previously shown consistent modest links to depressive symptoms, understanding pre-existing
intrapsychic vulnerabilities of the adolescent may be critical to identifying the processes by which such stressors lead to
depressive symptoms.
depressive symptoms was examined using multi-method, multi-reporter data from a diverse community sample of 173 adolescents,
followed from age 16 to 18. Relational stressors examined included emotional abuse, maternal behavior undermining adolescents’
autonomy and relatedness, and lack of support from close peers. As hypothesized, multiple relational stressors were found
to predict the future development of depressive symptoms, but as hypothesized predictions existed primarily for adolescents
who were highly rejection sensitive. Results are discussed in terms of a diathesis-stress model of depression and suggest
that though relational stressors have previously shown consistent modest links to depressive symptoms, understanding pre-existing
intrapsychic vulnerabilities of the adolescent may be critical to identifying the processes by which such stressors lead to
depressive symptoms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9570-y
- Authors
- Joanna M. Chango, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA
- Kathleen Boykin McElhaney, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA
- Joseph P. Allen, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA
- Megan M. Schad, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA
- Emily Marston, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627