A Cognitive-Interpersonal Model of Adolescent Depression: The Impact of Family Conflict and Depressogenic Cognitive Styles

Abstract

The goal of the study is to examine whether family conflict generates peer-related stress and subsequent depressive symptoms among adolescents. In addition, in the context of the proposed mediation model, we examine whether negative cognitive styles about the self, cause, and consequences moderate the mediational pathway between peer stress and depressive symptoms. The study includes 179 adolescents (71 boys, 108 girls) ages 12 to 18, and the majority of the participants are Caucasian (79.5%). At the initial assessment, participants completed self-report measures regarding family conflict, negative cognitive style, stress, and depressive symptoms. Participants also completed 3 subsequent self-report assessments every 6 weeks in which information regarding stress and depressive symptoms were collected. Both within- and between-subject analyses indicate that dependent interpersonal peer stress partially mediates the relationship between greater family conflict and higher levels of depressive symptoms. Moreover, results of our moderated-mediation model indicate that negative cognitive styles regarding the self and cause, but not consequences, moderate the mediational pathway between peer stress and depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of examining more comprehensive models that incorporate both cognitive and interpersonal vulnerability.