Personal Variables – A Predictor of Depression among Adolescents
Rupika Chopra *
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, I. C. College of Home Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (125004), Haryana, India.
Shakuntla Punia
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, I. C. College of Home Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (125004), Haryana, India.
Santosh Sangwan
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, I. C. College of Home Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (125004), Haryana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Depression is a disorder that is defined by certain emotional, behavioral and thought patterns. Hence this study was planned to verify the depression status of adolescents in Haryana across personal variables.
Study Design: A cross – sectional study was conducted on 460 adolescents of 11th and 12th standard in Haryana.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Haryana, between July 2013 and December 2013.
Methodology: Children Depression Inventory (CDI) was used to assess the depression status of adolescents.
Results: Female adolescents (18%) i.e., slightly above average (8.4%) and much above average (10.11%) were more depressed than male adolescents (14%) i.e., slightly above average (8.2%) and much above average (6%). The adolescents studying in 12th standard (Mean = 10.7) were more depressed as compared to adolescents of 11th standard (Mean = 9.4). Results further exposed that as adolescents go to junior to high class, chances of depression (r = 0.10, p < 0.05) also increases.
Conclusion: Depression has been shown to have a significant negative impact on a youth’s quality of life. The finding emphasizes the need for screening for depressive symptomatology and identifying adolescents who need further intervention.
Keywords: Adolescents, depression, Haryana, negative mood, interpersonal problem, ineffectiveness, anhedonia