Relationships factor into adolescent turmoil
'The development of aggressive and depressive problems during adolescence' (Psychopathology) is a project investigating the development of aggressive and depressive symptoms during adolescence. Working within the framework of developmental psychopathology, the objectives are to identify adolescents exhibiting distinct or combined problems of aggression and depression, investigate how risk and protective factors relate to these problems and identify differential outcomes of normal and ill-adjusted development. To investigate co-occurrence of aggression and depression during adolescence, a longitudinal model is being used for 4 years, grades 7 through 10 consecutively. Data will be analysed with the longitudinal person-oriented methodology known as general growth mixture modelling. Children were recruited from 17 schools spread over 3 cities in Cyprus, and data collected from 2 356 in the 1st reporting year and 1 348 in the 2nd. Identical questionnaires were administered both years and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences computer program was used for data analysis from each reporting year. The study gives evidence of the existence of pure depressive and aggressive problems as well as co-occurring problems. Various results suggest that positive relationships with parents and teachers are associated with less aggression and depression. However, positive relationships with peers are positively associated with aggression but not with depression. Scorings of callous-unemotional traits showed impulsivity and narcissism to be positively associated with aggression; children with low scores here but high impulsivity scores appear more likely to experience depression. Other data analysis suggests that adolescents exhibiting pure aggressive behaviour more often had positive peer relationships, compared to depressed adolescents and those presenting both problems. Other Psychopathology study results point to impulsivity being a common risk factor for both aggressive and depressive problems, while high self-esteem and supportive social relationships seem to act as protective processes. Adolescents exhibiting high and continuous levels of co-occurring problems reported higher levels of delinquency, substance use and social problems. The participating middle school students will be followed for two additional time points. The study is expected have significant social impact and provide evidence of how and why aggressive and depressive problems co-occur in children.
