Racial/Ethnic Differences in Depression During the Transition to High School: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health

Citation

Woodall, Ashley Marie (2015). Racial/Ethnic Differences in Depression During the Transition to High School: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health.

Abstract

This study investigates racial/ethnic differences in the change in depressive symptoms during the transition to high school. Weighted multivariable linear regression was used to assess the change in depressive symptoms from eighth grade to ninth grade using data from Wave I and Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Analyses revealed that non-Hispanic Black adolescents had a significantly greater increase in depressive symptoms compared to non-Hispanic White adolescents (b = 1.39, p < 0.01). Moreover, biracial/multiracial adolescents showed the greatest increase in depressive symptoms compared to non-Hispanic Whites; however this was not statistically significant (b = 2.38, p = 0.15). These findings suggest that the transition to high school is a difficult period in psychological adjustment, particularly for non-Hispanic Black and biracial/multiracial adolescents. Furthermore, these findings highlight the need for more research concerning racial identity development and the mental health of biracial/multiracial populations.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.13016%2FM22W54

Reference Type

Thesis/Dissertation

Book Title

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Author(s)

Woodall, Ashley Marie

Year Published

2015

Volume Number

Thesis

Publisher

University of Maryland

DOI

10.13016/M22W54

Reference ID

7767