Psychosocial correlates and depression in Vietnamese adolescents

This paper reports findings on depression in a sample of 38 Vietnamese adolescents. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the empirical use of psychosocial variables and stressful life event measures in predicting depression. Self-esteem (Esteem) and SLEs scales were entered in blocks and explained for 68 percent of the total variance in depression (CES-D scale). Esteem accounts for 30 percent of the overall variance. The SLE block contributes another 39 percent above and beyond in the prediction of depression. Death, PTSD, and Peer stress scales were significant predictors (p<.01). The mean CES-D depression score was 16.32 (SD=10.95). A cutoff score of 16 was used to classify those adolescents who were depressed from those who were not depressed (Radloff, 1977).