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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Psychological correlates of adolescent depression
Purpose:
To identify psychological correlates of adolescent depression.
Methods:
The subjects (N = 156) represented a convenience sample of adolescents who were attending public high schools in four Midwestern rural communities. Instruments used were: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale of Children, Loneliness Inventory-Short Form, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Family Strengths Inventory, and Parent-Adolescent Communication Inventory.
Findings:
Higher levels of depression were associated with loneliness (r = .646, p < or = .001) and low self-esteem (r = .596, p < or = .001). Depression was negatively related to family strengths (r = -.293, p < or = .001). Older adolescents were more depressed than younger adolescents (r = .332, p < or = .001). A stepwise regression identified three pertinent factors associated with depression: loneliness, self-esteems, and age.
Conclusion:
Implications for nursing practice include interventions that minimize the exacerbating factors associated with depression in the adolescent population.
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