This study aimed at searching for factors that prevent depression in high school students in order to protect the students' mental health. In this study, perceived life stress was expected to function as a factor that causes depression, irrational lif...
This study aimed at searching for factors that prevent depression in high school students in order to protect the students' mental health. In this study, perceived life stress was expected to function as a factor that causes depression, irrational life beliefs as a vulnerability factor that increases depression, and ego-resilience as a protective factor that reduces depression. Also, adaptive behaviors such as problem-solving skills, open communication skills, and self-control behaviors were expected to act as protective factors on depression. The subject(634 high school students) were sampled by the purposive sampling and quota sampling method in the Seoul area, other urban areas, and rural areas.
Significant major findings were as follows:
1. 60% of high school students showed signs of being in a depressive state.
2. The relatively important determinants of depression were perceived life stress, irrational beliefs, and ego-resilience. The combined effect of these factors on depression reached 50%.
3. Perceived life stress was a powerful risk factor causing depression, and irrational life beliefs were a vulnerability factor that directly increased depression. Ego-resilience and open communication skills were identified as protective factors and moderating factors on depression. These results supported the cognitive behavioral model and resilience model on depression.