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Show •cOfc *»' IV*... COLLEGE OF SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACT Teresa Sanchez Kim Korinek 98 DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND SOCIAL RELATIONS ACROSS RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS DURINGTHETRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD Teresa Sanchez (Kim Korinek) Department of Sociology University of Utah This research examines the prevalence and determinants of internalized and somatic depressive symptoms a m o n g adolescents, focusing on those w h o identify as Latina/Latino and with other ethnic minority groups. Previous research shows that w h e n European American adolescents are used as the comparison group, adolescents belonging to minority ethnic groups report higher levels of both internalized and somatic depressive symptoms. Existing research also shows that female adolescents of all ethnic groups tend to self-report higher levels of depressive symptoms than their male counterparts. The current state of the field suggests that socially supportive relationships are a buffer against adolescent depression. However, the relative importance of particular relationship types in protecting against depression remains unclear. In this study the importance of family cohesion and support, as well as relationships with non-kin role models and mentors, and involvement in peer and social support groups, will be examined as they influence levels of depressive symptoms in U S adolescents. I hypothesize that by examining the correlates of youth depression across gender and ethnic groups, the research will reveal which adolescents are more or less affected and protected by family cohesion and support, other adult support, and peer and social group support. I use the 2002 wave of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, "Add Health," to conduct multivariate regression analyses that examine risk factors for depression in U S adolescents and protective and risk factors for depression as they diverge across youth from diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. |