| Publications [#270356] of adrian c. angold
search PubMed.Journal Articles
- Angold, A; Erkanli, A; Silberg, J; Eaves, L; Costello, EJ (2002). Depression scale scores in 8-17-year-olds: effects of age and gender.. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 43(8), 1052-1063. [12455926], [doi]
(last updated on 2023/06/01)
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The excess of unipolar depression in females emerges in adolescence. However, studies of age effects on depression scale scores have produced divergent estimates of changes from childhood to adolescence. METHOD: We explored possible reasons for this discrepancy in two large, longitudinal samples of twins and singletons aged 8-17. RESULTS: There were no differences between twins and singletons in their scores on the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), a 13-item self-report depression scale. SMFQ scores for boys fell over this age-range, while those for girls fell from age 9 to age 11 and then increased from age 12 to age 17. The mean scores of girls under 12 and those 12 and over differed by only around one-fifth of a standard deviation. However, given the non-normal distribution of the scores, a cut point that selected the upper 6% of scores created the expected female:male ratio of 2:1. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for future research on adolescent depression are discussed.
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