Depression and school functioning in non-referred adolescents: a pilot study

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2000 Spring;30(3):161-71. doi: 10.1023/a:1021395504617.

Abstract

Self-image and self-perceived competencies have been considered to be related to depression in childhood and adolescence. Data from literature points to school functioning as one of the most important factors in self-esteem and self-worth during adolescence. Academic self image, defined as the way adolescents represent themselves as students, directly affects the global self-image; for this reason it has important psychopathological implications. The major aim of this preliminary report is to specifically analyze the relationship between academic self-image (assessed with a specific questionnaire), and self-reported depressive symptoms (assessed with the Children's Depression Inventory) in a school sample 150 adolescents. Our data indicate that the emotional beliefs about schooling and learning were significantly related to depressive symptomatology. Females scored higher in CDI and school anxiety. A real school failure did not affect the academic self image. These data seem to suggest that different components of the academic self-image can be differently associated with depressive feelings.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Educational Status*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychology, Adolescent*
  • Self Concept*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires