Personality Characteristics, Negative Life Events, and Depression in Early Adolescence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence that personality characteristics, pubertal development, and negative life events had on depression in early adolescence. A total of 518 adolescents completed a questionnaire, which included pubertal development scale (PDS), the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), and scales for negative life events and depression. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed Harm Avoidance of JTCI and disliking of peer-related negative life events contributed to prediction of depression. The interaction of Harm Avoidance and disliking of negative life events on depression was such that those high on the personality characteristic (temperament dimension) of Harm Avoidance had significantly higher depression scores than the low, if they had experienced more negative life events. In addition, girls' pubertal development scale (PDS) and depression scores had a weak positive correlation: the more developed, the more depressed. No such correlation was found for boys' PDS and depression scores.