Effects of Parental Attitudes Among a Group of High School Students in Istanbul

Introduction: Current study aimed to investigate the possible relations between parental attitudes and depression in a sample of mid-pubertal, high-school students under the light of several sociodemographic variables. Methods: With the permission of Ministry of National Education, a total of 391 students from second and third grades in a state high school and occupational high school in Sisli area included in the study. Sociodemographic Questionnaire, The Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered. Results: Among the students in the sample, 25.6% (n=100) had significantly higher depression scores and girls had significanltly higher mean BDI scores than boys (p=0.001) reflecting the presence of depression. Adolescents with depression also had higher scores of maternal protection than adolescents without depression (p=0.02). On the other hand, adolescents with depression had lower scores of both maternal and paternal interest than adolescents without depression (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). We also found that boys had higher levels of nicotine - alcohol and substance abuse where girls had higher levels for suicidal attempts and self harming behaviors (p<0.05). Conclusion: Depression onset was found to be associated with parental attitude which does not promote autonomy and independency. Warm, accepting and concerned parental attitude that promotes secure attachment was found to be protective against depression. Parental attitudes must be of concern when working with adolescents and dealing with the problems seen in this vulnerable phase of the life.