Effects of a negative life event and negative perceived problem-solving alternatives on depression in adolescents: a prospective study.

The associations among negative life events (NLEs), perceived problem-solving alternatives (PPSA), and depression in adolescents were studied prospectively. One hundred and fifty high school students completed PPSA and depression scales when the term began, and the depression scale again after receiving term grades. Grade Change groups were defined by whether grades Increased or Dropped. The Dropped group who also selected Negative PPSAs increased in depression. No other group differences were found. Thus, experiencing a NLE is likely to lead to an increase in depressive symptomatology only for adolescents with primarily negative PPSAs, perhaps in interaction with prior depression, at least for the specific NLE studied here.