Gender differences in the prevalence and expression of depression in children with and without learning disabilities

• Main Author: Ross, Shana.
• Other Authors: Heath, N. L. (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1997
• Subjects: Depression in children.; Learning disabled children.; Sex differences (Psychology) in children.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=27966

The purpose of the present study was to assess whether girls with LD were at a greater risk for self-reported depressive symptomatology compared to both boys with LD and girls without LD. Differences in the pattern of responses of girls with LD and boys with LD on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were also evaluated. In order to identify a learning disability, the short-form of the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children and the Wide Range Achievement Test were administered to 204 subjects. Results revealed that girls with LD demonstrated an increased risk for depressive symptomatology as compared to girls without LD. Boys, on the other hand, regardless of a learning disability, manifested a comparable rate of depressive symptomatology. It appears that having a learning disability increases girls' propensity towards depression. Finally, differences in the pattern of responses were found for girls and boys with and without LD.