Dependent and Self‐Critical Depressive Experiences among Inner‐City Adolescents

ABSTRACT The Adolescent Depressive Experiences Questionnaire was administered to 142 inner‐city ninth graders. Based on theory, several potential correlates of dependency and self‐criticism were selected for study, including depression, aspects of anxiety, locus of control, and facets of social behavior. Self‐criticism showed stronger associations with depression and concerns about losing others' approval, while dependency showed stronger associations with diffuse tension and worry and sensitivity to others' behavior. The two depressive tendencies had comparable associations with physiological anxiety and external locus of control. These findings are discussed in terms of current perspectives on the symptomatic heterogeneity of depressive experiences.