Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113064

Jason T. Siegel, PhD, Eusebio M. Alvaro, PhD, MPH, and Adrienne Hollen, BA. Psychology Department, Claremont Graduate University, 2424 E. Broadway, Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85719, 520-620-0641, Jason.Siegel@cgu.edu

Intro Research shows depressed individuals lose friends due to BID. However, whether departing peers are aware that their friend is depressed and whether that is associated with positive outcomes is unknown. Methods The participants (n = 264), older adolescents, ages 18 to 21, were provided with a short story about two friends, Sandy and Terry. The story discussed Sandy's confusion on how to handle Terry's recent change in behavior. While the term “depression” is never used, Terry's behavior is a composite of different BID. After the vignette, participants were asked two open-ended questions and six Likert-type items. Results Ninety-one percent of respondents thought that Terry's behavior was caused by depression, mental illness, or some form of negative event. The remainder thought that Terry's behavior meant Terry didn't want to be friends or that Terry wanted attention. Independent t-test revealed the latter were significantly more likely than the former to believe that Terry was in control of Terry's behavior and that Terry would always behave that way. When asked what Sandy should do, approximately 90% wrote that Sandy should have a friendly talk to Terry, should give Terry space and be patient, or should get Terry physically or socially active. Slightly more than 10% (11.4%) suggested confronting Terry or ended the friendship. The latter were also significantly more likely than the former to believe Terry could behave differently if Terry wanted and that there wasn't something that could help Terry act as Terry used to.

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