Citation

Calvete E, Cardeñoso O. J. Abnorm. Child Psychol. 2005; 33(2): 179-192.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain. ecalvete@fice.deusto.es

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15839496

Abstract

This study assessed gender differences in cognitive variables as an explanation for gender differences in depression and behavior problems; 856 adolescents (491 females and 365 males), aged 14-17, completed the Irrational Beliefs Scale for Adolescents, the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised Short Form, the adolescent version of the Burnett Self-Talk Inventory, and the Youth Self Report. Female adolescents' lower levels of positive thinking and higher scores on negative problem orientation, need for approval and success, and self-focused negative cognitions partially mediated gender differences in depressive symptoms. Males' higher scores on justification of violence beliefs and the impulsivity/carelessness style of problem solving partially accounted for differences in delinquent behavior. The influence of need for approval and success on depressive symptoms was higher among adolescents at ages 14-15 than among older adolescents. Justification of violence did not influence delinquent behavior among girls at age 14-15.

Language: en