Depression in Adolescents in Relation to Gender and Socioeconomic Level

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to find out level of depression in relation to gender and socioeconomic level in adolescents. After literature review it was hypothesized that level of depression will be high in girls compared to boys. Second hypothesis was that level of depression will be high in adolescents from lower socioeconomic level as compared to middle socioeconomic level. The matched
group design was used. The sample consisted of 60 adolescents (30 boys and 30 girls) with age range from 17-20 years and educational level, intermediate to graduation. They were further divided in two groups (middle and lower socioeconomic status). The data were collected from different colleges of Karachi. Purposive sampling technique was used. After consent taking and rapport development, Reynolds’s Adolescent Depression Scale (Reynolds, 2002) was administered. Girls had higher levels of depression as compared to boys hence supporting the first hypothesis. Whereas the second hypothesis was rejected, as there was no significant difference on the level of depression of adolescents belonging to middle and lower socioeconomic status respectively.