Adolescent School Failure Predicts Later Depression Among Girls

McCarty, Carolyn A.; Mason, W. Alex; Kosterman, Rick; Hawkins, J. David; Lengua, Liliana J.; McCauley, Elizabeth

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.023

« Previous Next »Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 43, Issue 2 , Pages 180-187, August 2008

Adolescent School Failure Predicts Later Depression Among Girls

Carolyn A. McCarty, Ph.D.
- Department of Pediatrics, 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.
W. Alex Mason, Ph.D.
- Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Rick Kosterman, Ph.D.
- Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
J. David Hawkins, Ph.D.
- Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Liliana J. Lengua, Ph.D.
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Elizabeth McCauley, Ph.D.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

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