Investigation of the bidirectional relations between adolescents' anger at their parents and symptoms of depression.

Abstract

This study examined the associations between adolescents' anger at their parents and depression over a 1-year period. Anger tends to co-occur with depression during adolescence. Most research on anger has investigated anger in general and has not focused on specific sources of anger. Anger at parents is likely an important source of adolescents' anger. Participants were 321 adolescents (M age at enrollment = 13.41 years [SD = 0.52]; 46.7% male) and one of their parents. Families completed questionnaires at two time points separated by 1 year. High levels of adolescents' anger at their parents were related to increased levels of depression 1 year later (based only on parent-reported anger at parents). Similarly, high levels of depression were associated with increased levels of adolescents' anger at their parents 1 year later (based on adolescent- and parent-reported anger at parents). The findings suggest that adolescents' anger at their parents and depression are mutually reinforcing during middle adolescence. The results highlight the importance of assessing anger at parents when working with adolescents who are experiencing depressive symptoms. Further, adolescents' feelings of anger at their parents when evident should be incorporated into case conceptualizations and treatment plans.