Life Satisfaction, Affects at School and Depression Symptoms among Adolescents

Abstract

The literature indicates that life satisfaction has a direct effect on depression symptoms. For better understanding depression in adolescence, this research examined the relation between life satisfaction and depression symptoms among Brazilian adolescents, and verified the direct effects of positive and negative affects at school, in addition to the mediating effect of these variables on the relation between life satisfaction and depression symptoms. A total of 428 adolescents participated in the research, with mean age equal to 14.88. The Baptista Depression Scale, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the School Subjective Well-being Scale were used. The models were tested using Path Analysis. The results indicated that affects at school mediated the relation between life satisfaction and depression symptoms. Prevention initiatives that consider the affects related to the school context can be a useful strategy for the promotion of youth mental health.