Onderzoek naar de Samenhang tussen de Affectieve Kwaliteit van de Ouder-Kind Relatie en Depressieve Symptomen bij Meisjes in de Vroege Adolescentie

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the affective quality of the parent-adolescent relationship and the expression of depressive symptoms with adolescent girls. The study specifies the affective quality of the parent-adolescent relationship into two different concepts, namely support and negative interaction. Method A number of 459 adolescent girls spread over five high schools in the middle and the South of the Netherlands, selected by a convenience sample, filled in a survey at school. A correlation- and regression analyze and a paired samples t test were used to find a connection between the variables and compare biological mothers and fathers with each other, within the affective quality of the parent-adolescent relationship. Results The results showed a not significant positive connection and correlation between motherly support, negative interaction for both mother and father and depressive symptoms, which is prominent for the motherly support. There was found a significant negative connection and correlation between fatherly support and depressive symptoms. Conclusion A high level of motherly support increases the expression of depressive symptoms with adolescent girls, just as a high level of negative interaction for both relationships. Fatherly support can be concluded as a protective factor for the expression of depressive symptoms with adolescent girls. This study discusses this prominent finding and gives recommendation for future investigation.