Attributional style and depression: A prospective study of adolescent females
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Date
2013-10
Authors
Dewhirst, Pendle
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
Negative life events (NLEs), attributional style (AS), and depression were prospectively
examined with adolescent girls, with youth assessments every 6 months (grades 9 -11) and
parent reports of childhood NLEs at baseline. Growth curve modeling revealed that both AS and
NLEs predicted depression at baseline. With AS controlled, those with high NLEs showed a
decline in depression over time, such that childhood NLEs were not linked with depression
thereafter. However, with NLEs controlled, those with a depressogenic AS at baseline showed
more depressive symptoms at all points throughout follow-up. At the sixth assessment, girls also
completed a NLEs questionnaire for high school years. Depression was related to both baseline
and 30-month AS, and high school, but not childhood, NLEs. Thus, NLEs and AS were
important predictors of depression. However, the link between NLEs and depression appears to
be temporal and dissipates over time, whereas AS has a consistent impact over time.
Description
Keywords
Attributional style , Depression , Adolescent Females