how do adolescents define depression? - cIRcle - University of ...

Chapter V: Discussion
findings to adolescents from other racial/ethnic backgrounds and/or family compositions and
socioeconomic status is limited. This study sample was ethnically diverse. Ethnicity
differentiations, particularly in adolescents' definitions of depression, their self-recognition of
depression, and their pathways to talking to someone when depressed, could provide a richer and
broader knowledge. This study's sample of participants stemmed only from schools located in
middle to upper income communities. Consequently, generalizability of these findings to
adolescents from lower income neighbourhoods is limited. Different cultural backgrounds and
neighbourhoods demarcated by different socioeconomic status may have influenced experiences,
symptoms of depression, and communication of responses.
Fifth, the school principals and teachers chose to participate in this research. Out of the
four schools taking part in this study, one school participated in depression screening six months
prior to this study's data collection and may have been interested in the study. A second school
did not have any depression programs. It is not known if there were any depression awareness
programs for the remaining two participating schools. Further, three out of four participating
classrooms took place during regularly scheduled Social Studies classes. Although it is not
known about the discussion topics in these classes, knowledge from possible classroom
discussions on depression may have influenced adolescents' contributions of their definitions of
depression, self-recognition of depression, and approach-oriented coping style for depression.
Sixth, the sample of participants was not randomly selected for this study. Further, the
adolescents in the participating schools had the final choice in deciding whether or not to take
part in this research. The participation rate in this study was 63% and it s unknown why the other
37% non-participating adolescents did not take part in this study. Studies show that avoidant-
copers reported having the most depressive symptoms whereas fewest depressive symptoms
were reported with approach-oriented coping style (Herman-Stahl et al., 1995; Murberg & Bru,
2005; Seiffge-Krenke & Klessinger, 2000). The non-participants may have reflected those
adolescents with avoidant coping style or those who may be clinically depressed and who may
not be at school.
Finally, it is acknowledged as a limitation and as a suggestion for future research, that
this study's findings were determined with a single sample. Replication of these findings with a
similar sample of adolescents should continue, to ensure that the patterns revealed in this
investigation reflect the nature of this study. Further, because this was a correlational, cross-
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