Applying Prevention and Positive Youth Development Theory to Predict Depressive Symptoms Among Young People

• Published in: Youth & society Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 222 - 244
• Main Authors: Olson, Jonathan R., Goddard, H. Wallace
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-03-2015; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescent Development; Adolescents; Antisocial Behavior; At Risk Persons; Conflict; Depression (Psychology); Discipline; Educational Opportunities; Family Characteristics; Family Environment; Family Influence; Hypothesis Testing; Mental depression; Mental Health; Parenting Styles; Pennsylvania; Predictor Variables; Prevention; Prosocial Behavior; Regression (Statistics); Resilience (Psychology); Rewards; Risk; Risk factors; Secondary School Students; Statistical Analysis; Surveys; Symptoms; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Teenagers; Youth; Youth Programs; Pennsylvania; resiliency; risk; protective factors; positive youth development; depressive symptoms; prevention
• ISSN: 0044-118X; 1552-8499
• DOI: 10.1177/0044118X12457689

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of depressive symptoms among adolescents using concepts drawn from two theoretical models that underlie popular youth-focused programs. Specifically, we assessed the degree to which family-level risk factors increase the likelihood of depressive symptoms, and the degree to which community and/or school-level protective/promotive factors either buffer against risk, or directly lead to lower levels of depressive symptoms. Results indicate that three of the four hypothesized risk factors were associated with elevated levels of depressive symptoms. In addition, the protective/promotive factors had more promotive than protective effects because they were directly related to lower levels of symptoms. Implications for youth-focused programming are discussed.