Temperament, Peer Difficulties, and the Development of Depressive Symptoms from Mid- to Late-Adolescence.

Abstract

Childhood social withdrawal is linked to increased risk of depression and peer difficulties. While data suggest that some child temperaments are more likely to be socially withdrawn, empirical data investigating whether distinct child temperament profiles, characterized by different social approach and avoidance motivations, influence the development of depression into late adolescence are lacking. Additionally, it is unclear whether peer difficulties in mid-adolescence explain such associations. This study addressed these research gaps using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC: n = 9491). Based on parent reports of shyness and sociability across ages 3 to 6, four distinct temperament profiles were identified: introvert (29.6%), extravert (26.6%), conflicted-shy (24.6%), and avoidant-shy (19.2%). Depressive symptoms in adolescence were self-reported using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire at ages 13 and 18. Peer difficulties were parent-reported through the peer problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at age 13. Results from the latent change score models indicated that introverted and avoidant-shy adolescents exhibited more depressive symptoms compared to conflicted-shy adolescents at both ages 13 and 18. A further mediation analysis revealed that introverted and avoidant-shy adolescents experienced more peer difficulties in mid-adolescence compared to their conflicted-shy counterparts, which in turn predicted more depressive symptoms at ages 13 and 18, as well as a greater increase in depressive symptoms over time. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the roles of social withdrawal subtypes and peer relations and how they might shape the development of depressive symptoms.