Year: 2000
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Although there has been increased attention on individual differences among adolescents in their levels of adjustment, several factors still have not received extensive investigation.The current research investigated whether personality variables such as perfectionism and self-criticism are associated with depression and negative attitudes towards help-seeking in a sarnple of adolescents.A total of 1 32 Cath01 ic high school students (5 1 males, 8 1 females) completed the Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, the Perfectionism Self-Presentation Scale, the Adolescent Depressive Experiences Questionnaire. the Self Concealment Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Help-Seeking Scale.Descriptive analyses of the data indicated that the sample as a whole was characterized by high levels of depressive symptoms, consistent with past research on adolescent samples.Correlation analyses showed that higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with socially prescribed perfectionism, dimensions of perfectionism self-presentation, self-criticism, dependency, and sel f-concealment.Correlational analyses showed that negative help-seeking attitudes were not correlated significantly with depression, but negativc help-seeking attitudes were associated with a dimension of perfectionism self-presentation and lower levels of dependency.Hierarchical regression analyses showed that perfectionism did not account for a significant degree of unique variance in depression scores once self-criticism and dependency had been entered into the equation.However, a dimension of perfectionism self-presentation (Le., an unwillingness to disclose imperfection to others) did predict significant variance in negative help-seeking attitudes, over and above self-criticism and interpersonal dimensions of perfectionism as well as trait dimensions and selfpresentational dimensions of perfectionism in adolescents as they relate to depression and attitudes towards help-seeking.The results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications and possible delivery options of mental health services for those at risk.indebted to Dr. Gordon Flett's tireless efforts and encouragement.His contribution to my academic development is testimony to his considerable cornpetence not only as a scholar.but also as an educator.1 would also like to thank Dr. Solveiga Miezitis for her wisdom, support and encouraging words. 1 was blessed at the outset with a truly supportive family, which has shouldered the tremendous financial burden of schooiing a foreign student.But, more importantly they have given me the opportunity to allow my personal and intellectual interests to mature.My grandmother has been the pillar upon which 1 have leaned for much of my life.Through her vision.my education has become a reality. 1 would like to thank my mother for her support and friendship.She has always found a way to help me, at any cost. 1 would also like to thank my father for his encouragement and support. 1 would like to thank Sandra Foster for the many years she h a
Author: Tessa DeRosa
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3157483017