Longitudinal bidirectional relationships between victimization, inferential styles of hopelessness, and symptoms of depression in adolescents: A transactional model

Abstract

Adolescent depression is a very common problem that has serious consequences. The present study examines the bidirectional relationships between depression, inferential styles of hopelessness and peer victimization. The sample consisted of 1325 students (597 females, 726 males, and 2 who did not indicate their gender, aged 12 to 17 years, Mage = 14.16; SD = 1.26). Participants completed measures of depression, peer victimization and inferential styles of hopelessness on three occasions each separated by 6 months. Results show that depressive symptoms predict a worsening of inferential styles, which in turn produce an increase in depressive symptoms. Likewise, peer victimization predicts an increase in depressive symptoms. The findings support a transactional model with reciprocal relationships between depressive symptoms and inferential styles of hopelessness.