The role of psychosocial factors in adolescent depressive symptoms

Psychosocial factors play a critical role in young people mental health and influence various developmental outcomes. I proposed a theory-informed multifactorial model of adolescent depressive symptoms that included self-perception (i.e., self-esteem and self-compassion) and interpersonal factors (i.e., positive parenting, friendships, and peer relationships). I will present two studies which examined the hypothesised model, a cross-sectional study recruiting adolescents in the UK and China and a longitudinal data analysis study in children aged from 3 years old to 17 years using data from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. I will discuss theoretical and clinical implication of the findings and provide several assessment considerations of psychosocial factors in empirical study. 

Keywords: depressive symptoms, self-perception, peer relationships, positive parenting, culture difference