Depression, Self-derogation, Substance Use, and Suicide Ideation: Lack of Purpose in Life as a Mediational Factor (From Adolescent Suicide, P 97-113, 1988, Robert W. Cole, Jr., ed. -- See NCJ-117025)

• NCJ Number: 117029
• Author(s): L L Harlow; M D Newcomb; P M Bentler
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Journal of Clinical Psychology, V 42, No. 1, January 1986

Annotation

Data from 211 men and 522 women formed the basis of an analysis of a theoretical model of adolescent behavior; the model hypothesizes that depression and self-derogation may lead to a lack of purpose in life, which, in turn, may lead to suicide ideation and substance use.

Abstract

The model included both direct and indirect effects of specific factors. The study's participants had an average age of 21.93 and were the fifth wave of a longitudinal study of adolescent growth conducted in the Los Angeles County area. They completed a 20-item self-report measure of depression, a 7-item scale of self-derogation, a 20-item scale measuring purpose in life, a 5-item scale on suicide ideation, and questions regarding the use of 20 substances. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation procedures were used to examine the model. Results showed that for both the men and women, the model adequately accounted for the data, although important differences existed between the sexes. In response to psychic discomfort as indicated by depression and self-derogation, men were more apt to turn to drugs and alcohol, whereas women considered suicide. Conversely, feelings of meaningless or lack of purpose in life was associated with substance use in females and thoughts of suicide in males. Tables, figures, and 72 references. (Author abstract modified)