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Long-term sequelae of subclinical depressive symptoms in early adolescence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2014

Joseph P. Allen ,
Joanna Chango ,
David Szwedo  and
Megan Schad
Joseph P. Allen*
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Joanna Chango
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
David Szwedo
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Megan Schad
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Joseph P. Allen, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400; Email: allen@virginia.edu.
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Abstract

The long-term sequelae of adolescent depressive symptoms were examined in a multimethod, multireporter study of a diverse community sample of 179 adolescents followed from age 14 to 24. Mild to moderate levels of early adolescent depressive symptoms were found to predict lower maternal relationship quality, less positive interactions with romantic partners, and greater loneliness in adulthood even after accounting for prior levels of social functioning and for concurrent levels of adult depressive symptoms. Predictions were partially mediated via late adolescent avoidance of social interactions and poor maternal relationship quality. Results are interpreted as suggesting the potential impact of depressive symptoms on adolescent social development and the need to consider treatment for even mild symptoms and their social concomitants.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , February 2014 , pp. 171 - 180
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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