SELF-ESTEEM, DEPRESSION AND HOSTILITY IN IRISH ADOLESCENTS

A sample (n = 464) of school attending adolescents (age 12.3-16-years- old) were examined using self-report questionnaires (GHQ, Coopersmith, Birleson and HDHQ). They attended secondary schools representing midd le and upper socio-economic groups and equal numbers were chosen from urban and rural locations. Comparisons were made between male and fema le from both urban and rural groups. The females from the rural settin g were found to suffer significantly more depressive symptomatology (2 2%) and poor self-esteem (68%) than the remaining sample. Hostility wa s detected more in males from either location, directed in an extrapun itive manner demonstrating higher degrees of criticism of others and s tronger urges to act out this hostility. The possible clinical relevan ce is discussed and suggestions regarding further work in this area ar e outlined.