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Perceived Control Mediates the Relations between Depressive Symptoms and Academic Achievement in Adolescence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 September 2015

Angelica Moè
Angelica Moè*
Affiliation:
University of Padova (Italy)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Angelica Moè. Department of General Psychology. Via Venezia, 8. Padova (Italy). E-mail: angelica.moe@unipd.it
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Abstract

The present research examined the protective role played by perceived control in the relation between depressive symptoms and academic achievement in adolescence. A sample of 218 adolescents aged 11 to 16 filled in questionnaires to assess self-reported depressive symptoms and three factors tied with Perceived Control (PC): self-regulated learning strategies use, effort attribution, and perceived competence. Grade Point Average (GPA) was considered as a measure of academic achievement. A path model showed that the relation between GPA and depressive symptoms is mediated by PC (p<.05), and became non-significant when PC is considered. The discussion stresses the need to take into account the strategic and motivational factors favouring learning in planning programmes to prevent and treat depressive symptoms in adolescence.

Keywords

depressive symptomsperceived controlacademic achievementadolescence
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 18 , 2015 , E70
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2015 

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