RURAL HISPANIC ADOLESCENTS AT RISK FOR DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Levels of depression among rural Hispanic adolescents were assessed. P sychological factors affecting depression were examined. Included were family characteristics, measured by the Background Information Questi onnaire; self-esteem, by the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scal e; perceived stress level, by the Hispanic Children's Stress Inventory ; acculturation, by the Cuellar Acculturation Index; and depression le vels, by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Resu lts revealed moderate to severe depression symptomatology among 33% of the subjects, and mild depression symptoms among 17%. Two family stru cture variables, birth order and number of brothers, were significantl y related to depression. Gender was an important predictor of depressi on, as was self-esteem. Higher stress scores were related to higher le vels of depression.