Abstract

AbstractObjective: To explore the relationship between social skills and depressive symptoms in a normal young adolescent population.Method: An all male group of 85 schoolchildren, in the first year of secondary school, completed self-report instruments to measure the constructs of depression and of social skills. The Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) and the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY) were the instruments used.Result. Regression analysis of the factor scores on the MESSY and the total score on the DSRS revealed a significant, negative relationship. This was particularly so for the jealousy/withdrawal factor (Factor V) on the MESSY (f = 27.323; p < 0.001)Conclusion: The data provide support for the social skills deficit model of depression and indicate the possible role of fostering pro-social behaviours and promoting social skills enhancement in the vulnerable young adolescent.

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