The Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in Children with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

Learning difficulties have been considered to be a symptom of childhood depression by some authors, whereas others have examined depression as a cause of cognitive difficulties, including learning disabilities (LD). This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of public school elementary children aged 8 through 11, 37 boys and 16 girls, identified as LD by state standards. Of the sample of 53 children, 35.85% scored in the depressed range on the Children's Depression Inventory. Comparison of the children's self-reports and parents' reports of depressive symptoms in their children was not significant. Implications of the results are discussed relative to the role of school personnel and the assessment process in recognizing depressive symptoms in students with LD.

Cognitive and behavioral correlates of depression in learning-disabled and nonlearning-disabled adult students

“…In addition, the correlation between depression and these cognitive-behavioral factors tended to be higher for LD than NLD students. The observed association between depression and cognitive-behavioral factors is consistent with research on LD children and adolescents (Dalley et al, 1992;Hall & Haws, 1989;Kaff, 1988;Maag & Behrens, 1989;Stevenson & Romney, 1984;Wright-Strawderman & Watson, 1992). It also provides further support for models based on the association between depression and both cognitive and behavioral factors (Beck, 1972;Lewinsohn, 1974;Peterson et al, 1982).…”

“…Stevenson and Romney (1984) reported that 14% of a group of 103 LD children aged 8 to 13 years met the criterion for clinical depression on a self-report measure. Similarly, Wright-Strawderman and Watson (1992) found that 35.83% of a sample of 53 LD children aged 8 to 11 years met the clinical criterion on a self-report measure of depression. Kaff (1988) found that a group of 40 LD children displayed higher levels of depressed mood than a matched group of NLD children.…”

Depressive Symptoms and Academic Self-Image in Adolescence

“…On the other side, school difficulties and frustrations can trigger sad affects and depression. Learning disorders have been frequently associated with depressive symptomatology, which is many times higher in learning-disabled subjects than in normal controls [16,17]; depressive feelings are strongly connected with cognitive and metacognitive functioning [18,19]. However, negative self-perceptions can be found in normally achieving students [20].…”

Prevalência de transtornos mentais entre crianças e adolescentes e fatores associados: uma revisão sistemática

“…Essas diferenças podem ser em decorrência de vários fatores como diferentes instrumentos diagnósticos utilizados, local do estudo (em residências ou escolas), população estudada (amostra ou população total). Além disso, o transtorno depressivo pode ser subdiagnosticado dado a sua similaridade com outros transtornos assim como a presença de comorbidades, como TDAH, transtornos de ansiedade, de conduta, agressividade, que podem persistir após cessar o episódio depressivo 44 . Já os transtornos ansiosos são os quadros psiquiátricos mais comuns tanto em crianças quanto em adultos, com uma prevalência em crianças e adolescentes estimada em torno de 9% 45 .…”