ABSTRACT
An investigation into the prevalence and causative factors of adolescent depression in the
greater Johannesburg area was undertaken. Present-day South African socio-economic
pressures together with the normal demands and difficulties of adolescence, led to an
investigation into which factors were having a bearing on adolescent depression and
whether more male than female adolescents were depressed.
A literature study was done and major factors, which could potentially influence the
development of depression, were identified.
The results of the empirical investigation indicated that negative family relations and
negative peer relations play a significant role in the development of adolescent
depression. Other identified factors did not appear to have a statistically significant
bearing on adolescent depression. No significant statistical difference was found between
the prevalence or severity of male and female adolescent depression.