Social Network Status and Depression Among Adolescents: An Examination of Social Network Influences and Depressive Symptoms in a Chinese Sample

Authors

C. Anderson Johnson, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow
Janet Okamoto, National Cancer Institute
Adam Leventhal, University of Southern California
Joel Milam, University of Southern California
Mary Ann Pentz, University of Southern California
David Schwartz, University of Southern California
Thomas W. Valente, University of Southern California

Document Type

Article

Department

Community and Global Health (CGU)

Publication Date

2011

Disciplines

Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry and Psychology | Psychological Phenomena and Processes | Social Psychology

Abstract

Examination of social networks may provide some insight into the role of peers in the vulnerability of some adolescents to depression. Social network data was incorporated into multilevel models of depressive symptoms from a large sample of Chinese adolescents. Being nominated as a friend was more important than being nominated as most liked. Network centrality was associated with depression. The risk of depression for those who were marginal members of classroom social networks was substantial. These findings suggest that a social network perspective could help to increase the effectiveness of programs aimed at preventing adolescent depression.

Rights Information

© 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

DOI

10.1080/15427609.2011.549711

Recommended Citation

Okamoto, J., Johnson, C.A., Levanthal, A., Milam, J., Pentz, M.A., Schwartz, D., & Valente, T.W. Social network status and depression among adolescents: An examination of social network influences and depressive symptoms in a Chinese sample.Res. Human Devel., 8(1), 67-88, 2011.