The longitudinal effects of emotional neglect and psychoticism on adolescent depression

Objective: Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, with emotional neglect and psychoticism identified as key risk factors. This study investigated their longitudinal effects on adolescent depression within a unified framework. Method: A total of 1894 Italian adolescents (M = 15.46, SD = 1.10) participated in a three-wave longitudinal study, with assessments conducted at baseline (T1), six months (T2) and twelve months (T3). A cross-lagged panel design was applied to examine the bidirectional relationships and mediation effects among study variables over time. Results: Emotional neglect was associated with higher levels of psychoticism and depression one year later. Psychoticism, in turn, predicted increases in depression one year later. Mediation analyses showed that emotional neglect indirectly contributed to later depression through its effects on psychoticism. Overall, these findings support cumulative developmental risk models, underscoring the psychological and clinical relevance of these pathways in adolescence. Conclusions: These results suggested that adolescents experiencing emotional neglect are at heightened risk for depression, with psychoticism compounding this risk. Interventions focusing on emotional support and addressing psychotic tendencies may help mitigate depression and improve adolescent mental health outcomes.