Abstract
A theoretical model of adolescent behavior is examined separately for males and females (N = 722). 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. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation procedures were used to examine the model, using Bentler's (1984) EQS computer program, which is available from BMDP. For both the men and women, the model adequately accounted for the data although there were some important differences between the sexes. In response to psychic discomfort (i.e., Depression and Self-derogation), men are more apt to turn to drugs and alcohol, whereas women consider suicide. Conversely, the situation changes in response to feelings of meaninglessness or a lack of purpose in life. Here, the females appear to turn to substance use, whereas the males react with thoughts of suicide.
Keywords
PsychologyDerogationStructural equation modelingFeelingConfirmatory factor analysisPoison controlSuicidal ideationClinical psychologySuicide preventionDepression (economics)Human factors and ergonomicsIdeationInjury preventionSocial psychologyMedical emergencyMedicine
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
Measuring Adolescent Depression: Factorial Validity and Invariance of the Beck Depression Inventory Across Gender
Extending the earlier work of Byrne and Baron (in press), the factorial invariance of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was tested across nonclinical adolescent males (n = 351...
Adolescent Self-Concept: Testing the Assumption of Equivalent Structure Across Gender
This study tested the invariance of a multidimensional, hierarchical self-concept (SC) structure for adolescent males and females. In a covariance structure analysis of data fro...
Confirmatory factor analysis models of factorial invariance: A multifaceted approach
Typical confirmatory factor analysis studies of factorial invariance test parameter (factor loadings, factor variances/covariances, and uniquenesses) invariance across only two ...
The relationship between nonstandard working and mental health in a representative sample of the South Korean population
In light of escalating job insecurity due to increasing numbers of nonstandard workers, this study examined the association between nonstandard employment and mental health amon...
Factors associated with the use of violence among urban black adolescents.
OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to examine social and psychological factors associated with the use and nonuse of violence among Black adolescents living in a communit...
Publication Info
- Year
- 1986
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 5-21
- Citations
- 542
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
542
OpenAlex
Cite This
Lisa L. Harlow,
Michael D. Newcomb,
Peter M. Bentler
(1986).
Depression, self-derogation, substance use, and suicide ideation: Lack of purpose in life as a mediational factor.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
, 42
(1)
, 5-21.
https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(198601)42:1<5::aid-jclp2270420102>3.0.co;2-9
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1002/1097-4679(198601)42:1<5::aid-jclp2270420102>3.0.co;2-9