Abstract
The role of cognitive vulnerability in the development of depressive symptoms in youth might depend on age and gender. The
current study examined cognitive vulnerability models in relationship to depressive symptoms from a developmental perspective.
For that purpose, 805 youth (aged 10–18, 59.9% female) completed self-report measures. Stress-reactive rumination was strongly
related to depressive symptoms. Negative cognitive style (i.e., tendency to make negative inferences) in the domains of achievement
and appearance was more strongly and consistently related to depressive symptoms in girls compared to boys. Negative cognitive
style in the interpersonal domain was positively related to depressive symptoms in both girls and boys, except in early adolescent
girls reporting few stressors. To conclude, the cognitive vulnerability-stress interaction may be moderated by the combination
of age and gender in youth, which may explain inconsistent findings so far. Current findings highlight the importance of taking
into account domain specifity when examining models of depression in youth.
current study examined cognitive vulnerability models in relationship to depressive symptoms from a developmental perspective.
For that purpose, 805 youth (aged 10–18, 59.9% female) completed self-report measures. Stress-reactive rumination was strongly
related to depressive symptoms. Negative cognitive style (i.e., tendency to make negative inferences) in the domains of achievement
and appearance was more strongly and consistently related to depressive symptoms in girls compared to boys. Negative cognitive
style in the interpersonal domain was positively related to depressive symptoms in both girls and boys, except in early adolescent
girls reporting few stressors. To conclude, the cognitive vulnerability-stress interaction may be moderated by the combination
of age and gender in youth, which may explain inconsistent findings so far. Current findings highlight the importance of taking
into account domain specifity when examining models of depression in youth.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9657-3
- Authors
- Lea Rood, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Jeffrey Roelofs, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Susan M. Bögels, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 19268, 1000 GG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cor Meesters, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891