Depression In Female Adolescents

Numerous research studies have been conducted on depression in female adolescents, focusing on personal stresses contingent on social causes and interpersonal development. According to Flynn (2011) research has shown that depressive symptoms are predictors of subsequent dependent interpersonal stress. However, looking further than depressive symptoms, more recent research suggests that young female adults are overly dependent on others, unassertive, constantly seeking reassurance on their self worth, and have ineffective interpersonal problem solving skills (Davila, 1995).

Depressive personality traits amongst female adolescents (e.g., pessimism, self-criticism, self-loathing, lack of self efficacy) reported high levels of stress from peers.

Examining peer victimization is conceptual to understanding the concepts related to social relations in adolescents. Initial research done by Crick (1998) focused on overt peer victimization such as physical aggression and violence that were associated with threats. Studies that entailed female adolescents found that peer victimization advanced to depression and social anxiety over time. Another study completed by Davila (2004) reviewed adolescent females who were involved in romantic relationships were more likely to be prone to depression. Negative dating experiences also contributed a significant amount of internal distress. This study suggests that adolescent females who experience high levels of stress in their romantic relationships, reported intense

Since females reach puberty sooner than males do, they bring physical importance and intimacy to relationships more often than males do, this also is a leading cause in depression in adolescent females. This is an important factor, since females have closer contacts with other females (e.g., mothers, friends) they find it effortless to bring such relationships to fruition. Females who are finishing adolescence and moving on into young adulthood, view romantic relationships as a way of feeling successful. Research suggests that romantic relationships that are created in adolescents are unstable and may explain why females tend to fall victim to depression so easily during these maturing years. Other studies that were conducted by Compas (1986) proposed that romantic relationships were more of a negative feedback of stress rather than the cause of it. Adolescent females were more likely to adhere to romantic relationships to avoid coping with other dire problems. Escaping from problems that were causing them stress by clinging onto relationships that were mentally challenging or abusive was also a main component in adolescent female