Faculty Sponsor, if applicable
Antonio Polo, PhD
Project Abstract
Latinx youth have higher levels of depression than other ethnic groups (Wagstaff & Polo, 2012). Victimization and loneliness are predictors of depression (e.g., Hagerty & Williams, 1999). While previous research has found loneliness to mediate the relationship between victimization and depression in a predominately white sample (Zimmer-Gembeck, Trevaskis, Nesdale, & Downey, 2014), these relationships have not been explored in ethnically diverse youth. We hypothesize that the relation between victimization and depression will be mediated by loneliness. Participants include Latinx students (N = 130, Mage = 11.91, 55.4% boys) recruited from a Chicago elementary school. Measures include the Victimization subscale from the California School Climate & Safety Survey, the Loneliness Scale, and the Child Depression Inventory. As hypothesized, loneliness mediates the relationship between victimization and depression (β = .44, SE = .13, 95% CI [.22, .73]). The present study identifies victimization and loneliness as targets for depression intervention in Latinx youth.
Type of Research
Undergraduate Student - Independent Study
Preview
Presentation Year
May 2019