Depressive symptoms among adolescents in Georgia: the role of ethnicity, low self-control, parents, and peers

Magda Javakhishvili, Alexander T. Vazsonyi (), Helen Phagava and Karaman Pagava
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Magda Javakhishvili: University of Kentucky
Alexander T. Vazsonyi: University of Kentucky
Helen Phagava: Tbilisi State Medical University
Karaman Pagava: Tbilisi State Medical University

International Journal of Public Health, No 0, 10 pages

Abstract: Abstract Objectives The present study tested the role of low self-control, positive parental and peer relationships, and ethnic minority status (Armenian or Azeri), in explaining variability in depressive symptoms in Georgian youth. Methods Self-report data were collected from N = 8254 adolescents in Georgia (55.5% female, M age = 15.57, SD 1.03). Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent constructs. Results Low self-control significantly and positively predicted depressive symptoms, while perceived parental warmth did so negatively; peer friendship quality was unrelated. Ethnic minority status explained a very small amount of unique variance in depressive symptoms for Azeri youth only, not for Armenian adolescents. Multi-group SEM moderation tests provided evidence that the links between constructs were invariant across ethnic groups. The model explained 15.6% of variance in depressive symptoms. Conclusions Findings support the salience of the tested depressive symptom correlates among Georgian adolescents, consistent with previous evidence from other countries. Adolescent ethnic minority status did not increase risk of depressive symptoms. Self-control emerged as the strongest correlate.

Keywords: Depressive symptoms; Adolescence; Georgia; Armenian; Azeri; Ethnic minority (search for similar items in EconPapers)
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01417-z

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