ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION AMONG JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Despite research consistently demonstrating a link betweenchildhood maltreatment and depression, our understanding of thepotential mediators of this relationship remains limited. Based on theexisting literature and corresponding theories, a theoretical model wasconstructed to assess the effects of childhood maltreatment, impulsivity, hopelessness, and substance use on adolescent offenders'depression severity. This model was tested for sexual abuse, physicalabuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect using a series of pathanalyses. Impulsivity and hopelessness partially mediated the effects ofchildhood sexual abuse and emotional abuse on depression severity, and fully mediated the effects of childhood physical abuse andemotional neglect. Contrary to expectation, substance use did notmediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment anddepression severity. These results suggest that childhood maltreatment, impulsivity, and hopelessness may be important variables to include inclinical research related to depression in incarcerated youth.