Skip to main content

Hostility, depression, and self-esteem among troubled and homeless adolescents in crisis

Journal of Youth and Adolescence volume 21, pages 139–150 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

This study provides empirical evidence on feelings of hostility and depression as related to the self-esteem of troubled, abused, neglected, and homeless adolescents in crisis. Over the space of ten weeks, 27 adolescents accepted to the Emergency Shelter of the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) of St. Louis were tested using the Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. This heuristic study found evidence that suggests that the hostility, depression, and self-esteem of adolescents in crisis are unique. This study found that the adolescents in this sample have greater hostility, greater depression, and lower self-esteem, as well as significant differences in ethnicity and gender than those in other comparative studies of all three measures.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Aarons, R. H. (1969). Expectancy for internal versus external control of reinforcement and the experiencing of fear, hostility, and depression.University Microfilms, No. 69-6365 Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adair, F. L. (1984). Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventories. In Keyser, D. J. and Sweetland, R. C. (eds.),Test Critiques Vol. I. Test Corporation of America, Kansas City, MO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adams, G. R., Gullotta, T., and Clancy, M. A. (1985). Homeless adolescents: A descriptive study of similarities and differences between runaways and throwaways.Adolescence 20: 715–724.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Atkins, J. W. (1974). Delinquency as a function of self-esteem.Dissert. Abst. Int. 34: 4650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, P., and Perron, L. (1986). Sex differences in the Beck Depression Inventory scores of adolescents.J. Youth Adoles. 15: 165–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battle, J. (1978). Relationship between self-esteem and depression.Psychol. Rep. 42: 745–746.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Battle, J. (1987). Relationship between self-esteem and depression among children.Psychol. Rep. 60: 1187–1190.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1967).Depression: Clinical, Experimental and Theoretical Aspects Harper & Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1970).Depression: Causes and Treatment. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, E., and Lesiak, W. (1977). Feelings of hostility and personal control as related to depression.J. Clin. Psychol. 33: 654–657.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berman, S. M. (1976). Validation of social self-esteem and an experimental index of delinquent behavior.Percept. Motor Skills 13: 848–850.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyer, M. (1974). Psychosocial problems of adolescent runaways.Dissert. Abst. Int. 35: 2420–2421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biaggio, M. (1980). Assessment of anger arousal.J. Personal. Assess. 44: 289–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biaggio, M., and Godwin, W. (1987). Relation of depression to anger and hostility constructs.Psychol. Rep. 61: 87–90.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blos, P. (1962).On Adolescence. Free Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosma, H., & Jackson, S. (eds.). (1990).Coping and Self-Concept in Adolescence. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buss, A. H., and Durkee, A. (1957). An inventory for assessing different kinds of hostility.J. Consult. Psychol. 21: 343–349.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cavaiola, A., and Kane-Cavaiola, C. (1989). Basics of adolescent development for the chemical dependency professional. In Henry, P. (ed.),Practical Approaches in Treating Adolescent Chemical Dependency: A Guide to Clinical Assessment and Intervention. Haworth, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilton, R. J. (1964). Continuity in delinquency area research: A comparison of studies for Baltimore, Detroit and Indianapolis.Am. Sociol. Rev. 29: 71–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, K. B. (1965).Dark Ghetto: Dilemmas of Social Power. Harper & Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J. C. (1979).The School Years. Methuen, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coopersmith, S. (1967).The Antecedents of Self-Esteem. Freeman, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, G. E. (1969). A comparison of delinquents with nondeliquents on self-concept, self-acceptance, and parental identification.J. Genet. Psychol. 115: 285–295.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson, T. S. (1974).Affective Testing in the Alum Rock Voucher Schools. Rand Corporation.

  • Douvan, E., and Adelson, J. (1966).The Adolescent Experience. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drummond, R. J., McIntire, W. G., and Ryan, C. W. (1977). Stability and sex differences on the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory for students in grades two to twelve.Psychol. Rep. 40: 943–946.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drury, D. W. (1980). Black self-esteem and desegregated schools.Sociol. Educ. 53: 88–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, N. L. (1977). An analysis of self-concept and attitudes toward school scores and their relationship to the Iowa Test and Basic Skills between nonpsychotic, institutionalized, acting out, emotionally disturbed, and normal school-aged children.Dissert. Abst. Int. 38: 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, R. (1987). Hostility, and deliberate self-poisoning: The role of depression.Br. J. Psychiat. 150: 609–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feather, N. T. (1983). Some correlates of attributional style: Depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and Protestant ethic values.Personal. Social Psychol. Bull. 9: 125–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feather, N. T. (1985). Masculinity, femininity, self-esteem and sub-clinical depression.Sex Roles 12: 491–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feather, N. T. (1987). The rosy glow of self-esteem: Depression, masculinity, and causal attributions.Austral. J. Psychol. 39: 25–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, L. W., Freeman, M., and Ferguson, E. P. (1977). Developmental self-concept and (self-reported) drug use.Psychol. Rep. 41: 531–541.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, B. J., and Bersani, C. A. (1979). Self-esteem and institutionalized delinquent offenders: The role of background characteristics.Adolescence 14: 197–214.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freud, A. (1958). Adolescence.Psychoanal. Study Child 13: 255–278.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, A. (1970). Hostility factors and clinical improvement in depressed patients.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 23: 524–537.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gats, L., Lineberger, M., Crockett, J., and Hubbard, J. (1988). Birth order and its relationship to depression anxiety and self-concept test scores in children.J. Genet. Psychol. 149: 29–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, M., and Mann, D. (1972). Delinquency as a defense.Am. J. Orthopsychiat. 42: 463–471.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, J. H. (1975).Aggression and Crimes of Violence (2nd ed.). Oxford University, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grier, W. H., and Cobb, M. C. (1968).Black Rage. Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamburg, B. (1974). Early adolescence: A specific and stressful stage of the life cycle. In Coelho, G., Hamburg, D., and Adams, J. (eds.),Coping and Adaptation. University of Chicago, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B. W., Redfield, D. L., Miller, R. L., and Simpson, R. E. (1983). The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory: A construct validation study.Educat. Psychol. Measure. 43: 907–912.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A., Moser, J., Colbus, D., and Bell, R. (1985). Depressive symptoms among physically abused and psychiatrically disturbed children.J. Abnorm. Psychol. 94, 298–307.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kokenes, B. (1974). Grade level differences in factors of self-esteem.Develop. Psychol. 10: 954–958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maiuro, R., Cahn, T., Vitaliano, P., Wagner, B., et al. (1988). Anger, hostility and depression in domestically violent versus generally assaultive men and non-violent control subjects.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 56: 17–23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, J. (1980). Normality in adolescence. In Feinstein, S., Giovacchini, P., Looney, J., Schwartzberg, A., and Sorosky, A. (eds.),Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 8: Developmental and Clinical Studies University of Chicago, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, T., and Paolillo, J. (1984). Depression: Influence of hopelessness, locus of control, hostility and length of treatment.Psychol. Rep. 54: 875–881.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Offer, D. (1967). Normal adolescents: Interview strategy and selected results.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 17: 285–290.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Offer, D., and Offer, J. B. (1975).From Teenage to Young Manhood: A Psychological Study. Basic, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Offer, D., Ostrov, E., and Howard, K. (1981).The Adolescent: A Psychological Portrait. Basic, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Offer, D., Sabshin, M., and Marcus, D. (1965). Clinical evaluation of normal adolescents.Am. J. Psychiat. 121: 864–872.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pachman, J., and Foy, D. (1978). A correlational investigation of anxiety, self-esteem and depression: New findings with behavioral measures of assertiveness.J. Behav. Ther. Exper. Psychiat. 9: 97–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettigrew, T. T. (1964).A Profile of the Negro American. Van Nostrand, Princeton, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston, C. E. (1967). Self-perceptions among adolescents.Psychol. Schools 4: 254–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proshansky, H., and Newton, P. (1968). The nature and meaning of negro self-identity. In Deutsch, M., Katz, I., and Jensen, A. (eds.),Social Class, Race & Psychological Development. Holt, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Graham, P., Chadwick, O., and Yule, W. (1976). Adolescent turmoil: Fact or fiction?J. Child Psych. Psychiat. All Disc. 17: 35–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarason, I. (1961). Intercorrelations among measures of hostility.J. Clin. Psychol. 17: 192–195.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schill, T., Ramanaiah, N., and O'Laughlin, S. (1985). Relation of expression of hostility to coping with stress.Psychol Rep. 56: 193–194.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seiffge-Krenke, I. (1984).Problembewaltigung im jugendalter. (Coping with problems in adolescence.) Habilitation thesis, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stehouwer, R. S. (1985). Beck Depression Inventory. In Keyser, D. J., and Sweetland, R. C. (eds.),Test Critiques II. Test Corporation of America, Kansas City, MO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storr, A. (1983). A psychotherapist looks at depression.Br. J. Psychiat. 143: 431–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strober, M., Green, J., and Carlson, G. (1974). Utility of the Beck Depression Inventory with psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol 49: 482–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturkie, K., and Flanzer, J. (1987). Depression and self-esteem in the families of maltreated adolescents.Social Work 32: 491–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, B. (1979). Adjustment, self-esteem, and depression in diabetic adolescent girls.Psychosom. Med. 41: 127–138.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wessman, A. D., and Ricks, D. F. (1960). Characteristics and concomitants of mood fluctuations in college women.J. Abnorm. Social Psych. 60: 117–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolchik, S. Braver, S., and Sander, I. (1985). Maternal vs joint custody: Children's post separation experiences and adjustment.J. Clin. Child Psychol 14: 5–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yarnish, D., and Battle, J. (1985). Relationship between self-esteem, depression, and alcohol consumption among adolescents.Psychol. Rep. 57: 331–334.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lecture and Graduate Fellow, Department of Behavioral Studies, School of Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis

    Bruce Edward Maxwell

Authors
  1. Bruce Edward Maxwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

He received his master's in behavioral development from the University of Missouri—St. Louis in 1987. His research interests include individual differences, multicultural counseling, and adolescent development.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maxwell, B.E. Hostility, depression, and self-esteem among troubled and homeless adolescents in crisis. J Youth Adolescence 21, 139–150 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537333

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537333

Keywords

  • Empirical Evidence
  • Health Psychology
  • Beck Depression Inventory
  • Great Depression
  • Emergency Shelter