Adolescent Adjustment: Maternal Depression and Social Competence

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study examined the relationships of maternal depression, family stress, child social skills, and child social competencies on adolescent adjustment. The sample included 50 mothers with at least one child between the ages of 11 and 14. It was hypothesized that maternal depression and family stress would predict adolescent adjustment. Maternal depression accounted for half the variance (52%) in child adjustment. Family stress variables were significantly correlated with child adjustment, but they failed to significantly add to the regression equation. The second hypothesis was that the adolescent's social competence would independently account for additional variance beyond that associated with maternal depression. This hypothesis was clearly supported. Three of the six measures of social skills and competencies significantly added to the predictability of child adjustment. Maternal depression and social competency variables combined to account for a total of 74% of the variance in child adjustment within the sample. Maternal depression was a risk factor for adolescent maladjustment, while social competence was related to resilience.