Risk indicators for depressive symptoms in early adolescence: Test of a mediational model

This study examined the validity of a model for the prediction of depressive symptoms in early adolescence. Difficult temperament, low academic self-efficacy, peer rejection, impaired family climate, early adversities and parental depressive symptoms were used as risk indicators. Cross-sectional data of female and male adolescents from all parts of Germany (N = 495; 10 to 13 years old) were used for the examination. The postulated model could be confirmed. Additional exploratory analyses conducted separately for both genders revealed one gender difference: For female adolescents, difficult temperament was the best predictor of peer rejection, whereas for males the best predictor was impaired family climate. Conclusions regarding the development of depressive symptoms in early adolescence have been drawn.