Abstract
This research examined two pathways through which depressive symptoms contribute to low social status (i.e., neglect and rejection)
within the peer group over time: (a) depressive symptoms promote socially helpless behavior and consequent neglect by peers;
and (b) depressive symptoms promote aggressive behavior and consequent rejection by peers. These pathways were investigated
in independent samples of youth at two developmental stages: middle childhood (2nd–4th grade) and early adolescence (5th–7th
grade). In both Study 1 (M age = 7.97, SD = 0.37; 338 girls, 298 boys) and Study 2 (M age = 11.74, SD = 0.68; 305 girls, 300 boys), youth and their teachers completed questionnaires at three waves. Multi-group comparison path
analyses were conducted to examine sex differences in the models. Consistent with expectations, two pathways emerged through
which depressive symptoms undermined subsequent social status. Support was not found for the reverse direction of effect nor
for developmental or sex differences in the pathways with one exception: In early adolescence, neglect directly predicted
depressive symptoms. These findings suggest specificity but also heterogeneity in the effects of depressive symptoms on social
status, and identify behaviors that may be targeted for preventing the persistence of depression and its interpersonal consequences.
within the peer group over time: (a) depressive symptoms promote socially helpless behavior and consequent neglect by peers;
and (b) depressive symptoms promote aggressive behavior and consequent rejection by peers. These pathways were investigated
in independent samples of youth at two developmental stages: middle childhood (2nd–4th grade) and early adolescence (5th–7th
grade). In both Study 1 (M age = 7.97, SD = 0.37; 338 girls, 298 boys) and Study 2 (M age = 11.74, SD = 0.68; 305 girls, 300 boys), youth and their teachers completed questionnaires at three waves. Multi-group comparison path
analyses were conducted to examine sex differences in the models. Consistent with expectations, two pathways emerged through
which depressive symptoms undermined subsequent social status. Support was not found for the reverse direction of effect nor
for developmental or sex differences in the pathways with one exception: In early adolescence, neglect directly predicted
depressive symptoms. These findings suggest specificity but also heterogeneity in the effects of depressive symptoms on social
status, and identify behaviors that may be targeted for preventing the persistence of depression and its interpersonal consequences.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9675-y
- Authors
- Anna M. Agoston, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, 603 E. Daniel St, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Karen D. Rudolph, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, 603 E. Daniel St, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627