ABSTRACT
Adolescence is often reported as an important period of life regarding the development of depressive symptoms and disorders. In fact, there is broad evidence indicating that the prevalence of depression increases dramatically during adolescence (e.g., Harrington, 1993; Merikangas & Angst, 1995; Rutter, 1986). Furthermore, longitudinal studies have shown that depressive symptoms are not a transient phenomenon linked only to the adolescent period; depressed adolescents are at an increased risk for later depression disorder, as compared to nondepressed adolescents (Harrington, 1993; Merikangas & Angst, 1995). Given the importance of the adolescent period for depression and the shaping of individual developmental pathways, the adolescent age group will receive particular attention, even if the processes discussed in the present chapter are not specific for adolescence.
