Youth Depressive Symptoms and Changes in Relationships with Parents and Peers

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Abstract

This study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) to examine changes in relationships with parents and peers during adolescence, and adolescent depressive symptoms. The study found that relationships with others and depressive symptoms were linked at ages 14 and 15, and again two years later at ages 16 and 17. Youth who reported higher levels of closeness, affection and understanding from their mothers and fathers had lower depressive symptoms scores at both times in their lives. Moreover, youth who reported getting along well with their peers also had lower depressive symptoms scores. These results appeared for both genders, regardless of household income or whether youth lived in either single-parent or two-parent families. When changes in relationships with others were examined over time, the study found that change in the relationship with mother was not linked to depressive symptoms at ages 16 and 17. However, improvements in the reported relationships with fathers and friends were linked to lower depressive symptoms scores at ages 16 and 17.

Objective

The purpose of this report is to examine the link between changes in relationships with parents and peers during adolescence, and adolescent depressive symptoms. This report uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) to provide some insight into the relationships between youth and their mothers, fathers and friends, how these relationships changed over a two-year period, and how these changes related to depressive symptoms experienced at ages 16 and 17.

Research questions

To provide focus for the present study, several research questions were developed:

How do adolescents perceive their relationships with their mothers and their fathers? Do male and female adolescents differ in their perception of these relationships? Does this perception change and do gender differences, if any, persist over time?

How do adolescents perceive they get along with their peers? Do male and female adolescents differ in their perception of this relationship? Does this perception change and do gender differences, if any, persist over time?

Do male and female adolescents differ in the degree of their depressive symptoms at ages 16 and 17? Did a difference exist two years earlier when they were 14 and 15 years old?

Is there a link between relationships with others and adolescent depressive symptoms? Are changes in these relationships over time related to depressive symptoms at ages 16 and 17? Do the patterns differ for male and female adolescents?