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Sex differences in depression and explanatory style in children

Journal of Youth and Adolescence volume 20, pages 233–245 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

We report data from the first two years of a longitudinal study of depression, and explanatory style in children. Measures of these variables have been obtained from a group of elementary school children every six months since they were in the third grade. Results show that the boys consistently reported more depressive symptoms than the girls. This was particularly true for symptoms of anhedonia and behavioral disturbance. The boys also showed much more maladaptive explanatory styles than the girls. These results are discussed in light of previous studies of sex differences in children's attributions. Possible reasons for the expected switch in the sex differences in puberty are also discussed.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

    Susan Nolen-Hoeksema

  2. Professor, Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

    Joan S. Girgus

  3. Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

    Martin E. P. Seligman

Authors
  1. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema
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  2. Joan S. Girgus
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  3. Martin E. P. Seligman
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Additional information

Received Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania. Research interests are depression and emotion regulation.

Received Ph.D. from New School for Social Research. Research interests are achievement and depression.

Received Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania. Research interests are depression and explanatory style.

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Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Girgus, J.S. & Seligman, M.E.P. Sex differences in depression and explanatory style in children. J Youth Adolescence 20, 233–245 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537610

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537610

Keywords

  • Depressive Symptom
  • Longitudinal Study
  • Health Psychology
  • Elementary School
  • School Child