How Observed Personality Traits in (Mildly) Depressed Adolescents Relate to Nonverbal Responses of Peers

This study examines whether personality traits, as observed in behavior, mediate or moderate responses of peers towards (mildly) depressed adolescents. Nonverbal responses of peers were observed during two short semi-structured interactions, one with a (mildly) depressed partner and one with a nondepressed partner, matched for age and gender. Personality traits of partners were observed. Results show that peers responded more negatively towards (mildly) depressed partners. Personality traits moderated the link between depression and peer responses. In general, but particularly for (mildly) depressed girls, neuroticism strengthened the link between depression and negative peer responses, while expressivity diminished the link between depression and negative peer responses. For boys, small and counterintuitive moderation effects were found which merit further research.PMID:38345748 | DOI:10.1007/s10578-024-01669-3
Source: Child Psychiatry and Human Development - Category: Child Development Authors: Source Type: research