Date Approved

5-2-1995

Embargo Period

9-11-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Klanderman, John

Subject(s)

Depression in adolescence

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine specific factors related to adolescents diagnosed with major depression, admitted to an inpatient adolescent mental health unit. The specific factors are birth order, family stability, history of drug and/or alcohol abuse and gender. There were 31 subjects in this study, ages 11 to 17 years. Of these subjects, 18 were female and 13 were male. The data collected was ex post facto. From the subjects' charts, gender, age, birth order, family stability and history of drug and/or alcohol abuse were obtained. This data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, mostly percentages. The results of this study support the hypothesis that female adolescents, oldest in the family, run a greater risk of depression than female adolescents in other birth positions. The second hypothesis which suggested that male adolescents, youngest in the family, are at a greater risk for depression than males in other birth positions was not supported. Additionally, the third hypothesis indicating a higher rate of alcohol and/or drug abuse was not supported. Lastly, a greater percentage of subjects were from unstable families rather than stable families, supporting the fourth hypothesis.

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