Cognitive factors contributing to adolescent depression

The purpose of this study was to investigate cognitive processes, which have been found in depressed adults, that may contribute to depression in adolescents. To this end, a modified version of Kelly's Role Construct Repertory Test was administered to 15 clinically depressed adolescents, 15 somewhat depressed adolescents, and 15 nondepressed adolescents, whose ages ranged from 13 to 16 years with the majority (75%) being female. Compared to the other groups, the clinically depressed group demonstrated lower self-esteem, greater pessimism about the future, more frequent polarized construing, increased interpersonal isolation, and a more external locus of control. Results are discussed in relation to findings from previous studies and recommendations are made for future research.This study is based upon Wayne Hammond's master's thesis, which was supervised by David Romney.Received MSc. from University of Calgary. Doctoral thesis will investigate substance abuse among the native Indians.Received Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry (The Maudsley Hospital) in London, England. Research interests include identity formation in adolescents.