[The study on predictors of depression for Korean female adolescents]

The purposes of this study were 1) to compare the contribution of demographic-behavioral variables and psychological variables in explaining the variance of depression, 2) identify the most important predictors of depression for Korean female adolescents.

The participants were 840 female adolescents. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires, which were constructed to include demographicbehavioral factors, self-esteem, hostility, hopelessness, and depression. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program.

Female adolescents' demographicbehavioral variables explained 17% of the variance in depression, and perceived physical health status, history of physical abuse, smoking, satisfaction of body weight, parental alcohol abuse, parental divorce, and history of suicidal attempt were the significant predictors of depression for female adolescents. Psychological variables explained 50% of the variance in depression, and self-esteem, hostility, and hopelessness were the significant predictors of depression for female adolescents. The significant predictors of depression among female adolescents' demographicbehavioral variables and psychological variables were self-esteem, hostility, hopelessness, perceived physical health status, parental alcohol problem, and history of physical abuse, explaining 52% of the variance in depression.

In order to reduce depression in female adolescents, it is necessary to design an intervention program that emphasizes improving self-esteem while reducing hostility and hopelessness.