Testing the Diathesis and Transactional Stress Models Among African American Adolescents

Prior literature suggests that stress exposure is associated with elevated rates of depressive symptoms in African American adolescents. However, there is substantial within-group variability which may be attributable to differences in adolescents’ individual characteristics (e.g., self-esteem, coping styles), and interpersonal experiences (e.g., peer support). The current study first examined whether active coping, perceived peer support, self-esteem, and stress were associated with depressive symptoms. Then, drawing from the diathesis-stress, transactional stress, and stress-buffering models, we examined whether the effects of stress on depressive symptoms were moderated by self-esteem, active coping, and perceived peer support. Using a sample of African American adolescents ( n = 1,163; mean age = 13 years old; 54.2% girls), we found that active coping and stress were positively associated with depressive symptoms in contrast to self-esteem and perceived peer support. Interaction results suggested that active coping and self-esteem moderated the effects of stress on depressive symptoms. Implications are discussed.