Honors Theses

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Psychology

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Major

Psychology

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

The rate of children who are raised in kincare (that is, by a non-parental relative), has steadily been on the rise. Past studies have indicated that this group of individuals are at an increased risk of mental health problems, such as suicidality and depression, and are often at a financial disadvantage and are overlooked for federal aid. The current study examines the suicidality and depressive symptoms of adults who were raised in kincare, compared to their peers. The participants were given the revised Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ-R) to assess suicidality, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to assess depressive symptoms, a single item assessing frequency of religious attendance and income were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. SImilarly, they were both negatively correlated with suicidality, as well. Additionally, participants who were raised in kincare reported higher rates of suicidality and depressive symptoms than their peers. Our findings suggest that those raised in kincare may need to be screened for suicidality and depressive symptoms, and may need targeted interventions.

Publication Date

4-1-2017

First Advisor

Nadorff, Danielle K.

Second Advisor

Nadorff, Michael R.

Third Advisor

Oppenheimer, Seth F.

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