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Social skills correlates of depressed mood in normal young adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Malcolm Garland  and
Michael Fitzgerald
Michael Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
Trinity College Dublinand Consultant Psychiatrist, Eastern Health Board, Child and Family Centre, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, Ireland.
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Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between social skills and depressive symptoms in a normal young adolescent population.

Method: An all male group of 85 schoolchildren, in the first year of secondary school, completed self-report instruments to measure the constructs of depression and of social skills. The Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) and the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY) were the instruments used.

Result. Regression analysis of the factor scores on the MESSY and the total score on the DSRS revealed a significant, negative relationship. This was particularly so for the jealousy/withdrawal factor (Factor V) on the MESSY (f = 27.323; p < 0.001)

Conclusion: The data provide support for the social skills deficit model of depression and indicate the possible role of fostering pro-social behaviours and promoting social skills enhancement in the vulnerable young adolescent.

Keywords

DepressionSocial skillsAdolescentChildhoodPsychology.
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , March 1998 , pp. 19 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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