1. Relationships among Adolescents’ Negative Interaction Styles with Friends and Romantic Partners and Depressive Symptoms
Joanna M. Chango, Erin M. Miga, & Joseph P. Allen
University of Virginia
Introduction
Measures and Procedure
The following data were collected during the first wave of the study, when teens were approximately 13 years old (M=13.35, SD=0.63):
- Negative communication patterns within friendships
Adolescent interaction styles with their close friends,
specifically negative autonomy and relatedness
behaviors, were assessed during an observed revealed
differences task. The Autonomy and Relatedness
Coding System for Peer Interactions (Allen, Porter, &
McFarland, 2001; Allen et al., 2000) was used to code
the interactions. Examples of teen behaviors that
undermine autonomy and relatedness include
pressuring, overpersonalizing, and avoidance, and
rudeness, respectively.
- Baseline depressive symptoms
Teens’ self-reported baseline depression level was
measured using the Childhood Depression Inventory
(CDI; Kovacs & Beck, 1997).
Negative communication styles within romantic
relationships
Romantic partner reports of target adolescents’ use of
verbal abuse and blame toward their romantic
partners was measured when teens were about 18
years old (M=18.3, SD=1.27) using the Conflict in
Relationships Scale (Wolfe, Reitzel-Jaffe, Gough, &
Wekerle, 1994).
Self-reported depressive symptoms
Adolescents’ level of depressive symptoms were re
assessed at age 21 (M=20.84, SD=0.99) with the Beck
Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck & Steer, 1987)
Observed adolescent negative autonomy and relatedness with friends at age 13 predicts higher levels of verbal abuse and blame towards romantic partners at age 18.
Previous research demonstrates that specific adolescents’ interaction patterns experienced within friendships may carryover, or are at least related to similar behaviors within romantic relationships (Connolly & Johnson, 1996; Furman, 1999; Furman & Shomaker, 2008)
Furthermore, difficulties in interpersonal relationships are often recognized as key risk factors for the development of depressive symptoms (Coyne, 1976a, 1976b)
Although researchers suggest that both peer and romantic relationships become significant contexts for adolescent social interaction and development (e.g., Furman, Brown, & Feiring, 1999; Buhrmester, 1998; Berndt, 1996), we know very little about how specific dysfunctional communication styles within these close relationships relate to future depression.
Note. * p < .05. ** p < N = TN=teen
Gender and income included as covariates
2) Higher levels of teen abuse and blame towards romantic partners at age 18 subsequently predicts relative increases in depressive symptoms at age 21.
Research Questions
The present study seeks to examine the following questions:
Do similar negative interaction patterns learned in early teen friendships emerge in romantic relationships in late adolescence?
2) If so, what is the subsequent effect on adolescent psychopathology, particularly depression?
Note. * p < .05. † p = N = TN=teen
Gender, income, and baseline depression included
as covariates
Conclusion
Given the longitudinal nature of the results, they are interpreted in terms of a possible developmental model of adolescent depression, such that problematic friendship patterns are translated to later romantic relationships, which subsequently predict higher levels of depressive symptoms.
Furthermore, this study supports previous research highlighting the significance of problematic interpersonal relationships during adolescence in relation to depression.
Results also hold important implications for psychosocial interventions for depression that seek to target the improvement of adolescent social relationships and social skills.
Methods
Participants
Multi-method and longitudinal data were obtained for 184 target adolescents (86 male and 98 female), their same sex close friends, and their opposite sex romantic partners.
Median family income of target teens was in the $40,000-$59,000 range
The sample is 63% European-American, 27% African-American, and 10% mixed or other race.
Results
A series of hierarchical linear regressions was performed and Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) was employed to handle occasional missing data. Results revealed that: