Ad. Crocker et J. Hakimlarson, PREDICTORS OF PREADOLESCENT DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL IDEATION, Canadian journal of behavioural science, 29(2), 1997, pp. 76-82
Harter and her associates have developed a model that examines perceiv
ed competence and social support as predictors of depression and suici
dal ideation in adolescents (Harter, Marold, & Whitesell, 1992). This
study applies a subset of concepts from Harter's model to a group of 9
to 12 year old boys and girls and their parents. Using separate stand
ard multiple regression analyses for child, mother, and father informa
nts, support was found for perceived competence and social support as
predictors of depression and suicidal ideation during pre-adolescence.
Discussion focuses on how depression is manifest at different develop
mental levels. Further research using school-based assessment and inte
rvention is needed to address those aspects of depression that are con
tinuous and those that are discontinuous over time.