Abstract
The association between stressful life events and depression has been consistently supported in the literature; however, studies
of the developmental trajectories of these constructs and the nature of their association over time are limited. We examined
trajectories of depressive symptoms and negative dependent life events and the associations between these constructs in a
sample of 916 youth assessed annually from age 9 to 16, using latent growth curve modeling. Youth depressive symptoms, as
rated by youth, parents, and teachers, decreased from late childhood into adolescence, whereas rates of youth-rated life events
did not change significantly over time. Initial levels of depressive symptoms were positively associated with initial levels
of life events. Furthermore, after controlling for the initial association between the two constructs, increases in depressive
symptoms (as assessed by parents and youth) were positively associated with increases in life events over time. The study
builds on prior research by focusing specifically on negative dependent life events, examining results across multiple informants,
and employing latent growth curve modeling to evaluate associations between trajectories of life events and depressive symptoms
in a longitudinal adolescent sample. Additional studies employing latent growth modeling to examine the changes in this association
during adolescence are needed.
of the developmental trajectories of these constructs and the nature of their association over time are limited. We examined
trajectories of depressive symptoms and negative dependent life events and the associations between these constructs in a
sample of 916 youth assessed annually from age 9 to 16, using latent growth curve modeling. Youth depressive symptoms, as
rated by youth, parents, and teachers, decreased from late childhood into adolescence, whereas rates of youth-rated life events
did not change significantly over time. Initial levels of depressive symptoms were positively associated with initial levels
of life events. Furthermore, after controlling for the initial association between the two constructs, increases in depressive
symptoms (as assessed by parents and youth) were positively associated with increases in life events over time. The study
builds on prior research by focusing specifically on negative dependent life events, examining results across multiple informants,
and employing latent growth curve modeling to evaluate associations between trajectories of life events and depressive symptoms
in a longitudinal adolescent sample. Additional studies employing latent growth modeling to examine the changes in this association
during adolescence are needed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9642-7
- Authors
- Daniel P. Johnson, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
- Mark A. Whisman, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
- Robin P. Corley, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
- John K. Hewitt, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
- Soo Hyun Rhee, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627