Adolescent School Failure Predicts Later Depression Among Girls

Received 3 October 2007; accepted 11 January 2008. published online 11 April 2008.

Abstract

Purpose

Past research has found that social, academic, and behavioral problems are linked with depression during childhood and adolescence. The present study tests a longitudinal cascade model of adolescent problems predicting depression into adulthood, while additionally testing for gender differences.

Methods

Using prospective longitudinal analysis with a sample of 808 youth followed from age 10 to 21, we tested whether social problems, school failure, and delinquency in adolescence increased risk for a major depressive episode in emerging adulthood. Structural equation modeling was used to test for gender differences.

Results

Both early conduct problems and adolescent school failures predisposed girls to depression in young adulthood. Among the boys, none of the problems conferred risk for depression.

Conclusions

This study highlights the mutual interplay between school failure and psychological functioning. It is suggested that school adaptation in adolescence be considered a mental health issue.

Keywords: Depression, Psychological adaptation, Adolescence, Female adolescents, Student dropouts

a Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

b Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

c Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

d Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

Address correspondence to: Carolyn A. McCarty, Ph.D., Child Health Institute, 6200 NE 74th Street, Suite 210, Seattle, WA 98115-8160.

PII: S1054-139X(08)00086-4

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.023

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