ERIC Number: EJ794395
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jul
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-2891
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Model of Sexual Abuse's Effects on Suicidal Behavior and Delinquency: The Role of Emotions as Mediating Factors
Sigfusdottir, Inga Dora; Asgeirsdottir, Bryndis Bjork; Gudjonsson, Gisli H.; Sigurdsson, Jon Fridrik
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, v37 n6 p699-712 Jul 2008
Drawing on Agnew's general strain theory, we examined whether depressed mood and anger mediated the effects of sexual abuse on suicidal behavior and delinquency. Participants included 9,113 students attending high schools in Iceland. Structural equation modeling showed that, while controlling for family structure and parental education, being exposed to strain in the form of sexual abuse was positively related to both depressed mood and anger. The effects of sexual abuse on suicidal behavior of both boys and girls were twice as strong through depressed mood as through anger. The effects of sexual abuse on outwardly-directed forms of delinquency for both genders were stronger through anger than through depressed mood. These findings highlight the complex nature of the effects of strain on adolescents' emotions and behavior. Moreover, they show that depression--in contrast to outwardly-directed delinquency, where feelings of anger are predominantly influential--is more relevant than anger to suicidal behavior.
Descriptors: Sexual Abuse, Delinquency, Structural Equation Models, Suicide, Family Structure, Gender Differences, Depression (Psychology), Correlation, Psychological Patterns, High School Students, Foreign Countries, Educational Attainment, Parent Influence, Antisocial Behavior
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iceland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A