Poster #72 - The Association between Active Listening and Depressive Symptoms during Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Masculinity

• In Event: Poster Session 05

Abstract

Few studies have examined the role of active listening in the psychological adjustment of adolescents. Active listening occurs when a listener listens by asking questions about another person’s thoughts, feelings, intent, experiences, and motivations in order to understand the world in the way the speaker sees it (Murphy, 2019). Emerging research indicates that it promotes psychological adjustment (Serge et al., 2010). Research has also not examined how adherence to masculinity may mediate the association between active listening and psychological adjustment (Mahailk & Cournoyer, 2000). Adherence to masculinity norms may disrupt the psychological benefits of active listening.

The present study was aimed at examining the link between active listening and psychological adjustment as well as the mediating effect of adherence to norms of masculinity on the association between active listening and depressive symptoms among a sample of middle school students. This study relied on baseline data from a classroom-based intervention designed to foster listening skills and curiosity. An adapted version of the Listening Competency Scale (Ford et al., 2000) was used to measure students’ self-perceived active listening competencies on an eight-item scale including statements such as “I ask follow-up questions until I fully understand someone.” Adherence to norms of masculinity (i.e., emotional stoicism, toughness, and valuing independence over relationships) was measured using a nine-item scale adapted from the Gender-Typed Behaviors in Relationships Scale (Gupta et al., 2013) including statements such as “I do not let it show to my friends when my feelings are hurt.” Depressive symptoms were measured on the Children’s Depression Inventory-Short Form (Kovacs, 1992). The adapted scales maintained reliability as measured by Cronbach’s alpha, or in some cases improved reliability.

Using path analysis with a diverse sample of 359 seventh-grade students (Mage = 12.66, SD = 0.65; 48% Female; 36% Asian/Asian American, 29% White/European, 16% Latina/o, 13% Black/African American, and 6% Other), we found that the association between active listening and depressive symptoms were mediated by levels of adherence to norms of masculinity, controlling for student covariates including age, gender and race/ethnicity. The estimate for the indirect effect of masculinity in the association between active listening and depressive symptoms was -4.96 (p<.01). Higher levels of active listening are associated with lower levels of adherence to norms of masculinity, which in turn is associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Understanding the associations between listening skills, a core element of social and emotional skills, and psychological adjustment is key to fostering well-being among adolescents.

Authors

• Jinjoo Han, New York University
  Presenting Author

• Niobe Way, New York University

• Hirokazu Yoshikawa, New York University