The role of cognitive distortion and parental bonding in depressive symptoms: Exploring the role of family subsystems

Adolescence is marked by dramatic developmental changes in physical, cognitive, and social-emotional aspects. To date, there is limited information on long-term outcomes that centre on adolescent depression which explores the role of family subsystems. This study investigates the role of psychosocial variables as correlates and antecedents to depressive symptoms among male adolescents. It further explores the impact of parent-child relationship and cognitive distortion to depressive symptoms. A battery of self-report measures was administered to 150 male adolescents. Regression analysis reveals four variables that were linked to adolescent depression.  Father overprotection (β = 0.10) is positively linked to depression among male adolescents, while father care dimension of parent-child relationship is linked to adolescent depression (β = 10.10). The findings also suggest that as mothers, as mothers exert a degree of psychological control, the high-quality parent-child relationship a son share with his father becomes less of a risk for adolescent aggression. Overall, these outcomes support the improvement of access to adolescent mental health services.