Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-171). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2003. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-146). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

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This study tested a structural model, examining the relationship between a latent variable termed demoralization and measured variables (anxiety, depression and hopelessness) in a community sample of Canadian youth. The combined sample consisted of data collected from four independent studies from 2001 to 2005. Nine hundred and seventy one (n=971) participants in each of the previous four studies were high school students (grades 10-12) from three geographic locations: Calgary, Saskatchewan and Lethbridge. Participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-Revised (BDI-II), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and demographic survey. Structural equation modeling was used for statistical analysis. The analysis revealed that the final model, including depression, anxiety and hopelessness and one latent variable demoralization, fit the data (chi-square value, X2 (2) =7.24, p<. 001, goodness of fit indices (CFI=0.99, NFI=0.98) and standardized error (0.05). Overall, the findings suggest that close relationships exist among depression, anxiety, hopelessness and demoralization. In addition, the model was stable across demographic variables: sex, grade, and location. Further, the model explains the relationship between sub-clinical anxiety, depression and hopelessness. These findings contribute to a theoretical framework, which has implications with educational and clinical interventions. The present findings will help guide further preventative research in examining demoralization as a precursor to sub-clinical anxiety and depression. / xi, 127 leaves ; 29 cm.

The increasing incidence of adolescent depression calls for the study of individual difference factors that may impinge on psychosocial adjustment. Researchers have identified depressive personality styles, namely dependency and self-criticism, that represent distinct vulnerability orientations. A series of four studies was conducted to (1) examine the relation of the depressive styles to adolescent dysphoria and interpersonal functioning; (2) assess the Personality-Event Congruence Model of Depressive Vulnerability in youngsters; and (3) explore how dependency and self-criticism relate to the regulation of negative affect using an experience sampling methodology. Findings provide evidence for heightened vulnerability of adolescent self-criticism in terms of increased dysphoria and interpersonal problems, demonstrate the vulnerability of dependency during attachment-related transitions, and reveal the relation of depressive styles to distinctive patterns of poor mood management. Together, these studies highlight the need to help youngsters adopt strategies that may be effective in forestalling dysphoria, enabling healthy adaptation to developmental challenges.

Depression is a serious mental health problem in adolescents. Schools and primary health care providers are flooded with adolescents who have serious emotional and behavioural problems. Mental health specialists initially overlooked this condition, later argued against its existence, then recommended universal acceptance of it as a separate clinical entity very similar in nature to adult depression. More recently they have expressed concern over the adolescent's cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development capabilities in relation to depressive symptomatology and treatment. Quality mental health services are essential to decrease the prevalence, economic toll and mortality that result from depression. This study is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The principal objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of South African adolescents, to investigate contributory factors at home and in school, and elicit from the adolescent participants suggestions for improving the prevailing conditions. In order to establish the focus of the study four critical questions were posed: • What is the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents? • What factors in the home contribute towards depressive symptoms? • What factors in the school contribute towards depressive symptoms? • What are the suggestions made by adolescents to improve the prevailing conditions? To accomplish this delineation, a group of Grade 11 learners were identified by means of cluster sampling. The entire cluster was given the Beck Depression Inventory, which is a self-report scale for screening depressive symptoms. The results of the BDI revealed that 118/566 learners i.e. 20.84% displayed symptoms of depression. These learners i.e.118 who had scored between 19-29 on the BDI were then given a survey questionnaire to complete. The findings of this study are consistent with other studies. An analysis of data confirmed previous reports of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Gender differences showing more females than males presenting with depressive symptoms were evident in the present study. Females had more responsibilities and not much support in the household chores that led to feelings of frustration and anger. The adolescents expressed concern over their studying and living conditions. In-depth interviews were used to gather information for qualitative analysis. From the content analysis of the interviews, three main themes were identified regarding the factors contributing towards depressive symptoms. Family Relationships (home), with communication, support, outside intervention and perceptions of their parents related to the first theme. The second theme related to peer/ sibling relationships associated with communication, support, other concerns, and perceptions of peers/siblings. The final theme related to school and included communication, support, performance and perceptions of school. Recommendations made on the basis of the present findings included the need for better support structures at schools, with parents and peers/siblings. The qualitative findings indicated a need for social organizations to play a more significant role in the community. Because of this potent combination of formal and informal influence, educators can be powerful resources for the development and continuity of intervention. Educators should be trained to recognize the markers of adolescent depression and to approach and refer them to a central person such as guidance counselors or social workers for initial screening and treatment if necessary. This study has contributed to research data in an area where there is a deficiency of information and understanding. The high prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents is a matter of great concern to all service providers. The contributory factors in the home and school that were identified should be attended to in order to improve the living and studying conditions of the learners. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

The purpose of this study was to determine if adolescents who exhibited different profiles with respect to gender and the social-cognitive variables of negative mood regulation expectancy (beliefs regarding one's ability to alleviate negative moods), self-concept, personal uniqueness (a facet of adolescent egocentrism defined as the conviction that one is "special"), and daily hassles differed on current and post-romantic breakup depression levels. Subjects were 72 adolescents (19 males, 52 females, and 1 undesignated gender) attending a medium-sized Midwestern high school located in a city with a population of approximately 70,000. The mean age of the adolescents was 16.5 years. Eighty percent of the participants were White. A romantic relationship was defined as one that was exclusive, acknowledged to exist by both parties, and based on mutual feelings of attraction. All participants experienced a breakup with a romantic partner during the 12 months preceding the study. Self-report measures of depression (one referring to the week just prior to the study and one targeting the first week after the breakup) and the four social-cognitive variables were administered in random order. Results of a K-Means cluster analysis showed that adolescents who reported strong beliefs in their ability to alleviate negative affect, high self-concepts, weak personal uniqueness beliefs, and few hassles experienced the least amount of depression. Conversely, teenagers professing weak mood regulation beliefs, low self-concepts, a strong sense of uniqueness, and many hassles reported the greatest amount of depression. Females' depression scores were higher than males', but the relation was not significant. Notably, 45% of the participants reported current depression levels indicative of the need for further screening. Twenty-five percent of adolescents in the sample had current scores in the "clinically depressed" range. With respect to post-breakup depression, 76% of the teenagers reported scores at or above the screening cutoff point, whereas 51 % had scores indicating clinically significant symptoms.These results suggest that school psychologists and counselors should take seriously the romantic breakups that occur during adolescence. Addressing adolescents' post-breakup depression would be a prime opportunity for these professionals to demonstrate their expertise in the areas of prevention, intervention, and consultation. / Department of Educational Psychology

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dept. of Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2007. / Advisers: George A. Barnett, Thomas H. Feeley. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2007. / Prepared for: Dept. of Psychology. Bibliography: leaves 119-132. Available online via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 187-209) Also available in print.