Negative thinking mediates the effect of self-esteem on depressive symptoms in college women

Background: One of every three women between 18 and 24 years of age may be significantly depressed. Younger women have shown increasing rates of unipo lar depression since the 1950s, and the average age of onset continues to d ecline. Objectives: To examine the prevalence and correlates of high depressive sym ptoms in single college women 18 to 24 years of age. Negative thinking was posited to mediate the relationship between self-esteem and depressive symp toms. Methods: A sample of 246 women was recruited from a university student body . Each woman completed a survey that included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Rosenberg Self -esteem Scale, the Crandell Cognitions Inventory, and the Automatic Thought s Questionnaire. Results: Of the women, 35% had high depressive symptoms. Negative thinking mediated the relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Howe ver, self-esteem also showed a weak direct effect on depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The findings suggest that negative thinking may play an importa nt role in the development of depressive symptoms in college women.