SOCIAL SKILLS CORRELATES OF DEPRESSED MOOD IN NORMAL YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

Objective: To explore the relationship between social skills and depre ssive symptoms in a normal young adolescent population. Method: An all male group of 85 schoolchildren, in the first year of secondary schoo l, completed self-report instruments to measure the constructs of depr ession and of social skills. The Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) a nd the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY) were the instruments used. Result: Regression analysis of the factor score s on the MESSY and the total score on the DSRS revealed a significant, negative relationship. This was particularly so for the jealousy/with drawal factor (Factor V) on the MESSY (f = 27.323; p < 0.001) Conclusi on: The data provide support for the social skills deficit model of de pression and indicate the possible role of fostering pro-social behavi ours and promoting social skills enhancement in the vulnerable young a dolescent.