Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between learned helplessness (LH) and depressive symptoms in a sample of adolescents with specific learning disabilities (SLDs). A convenience sampling method was used to recruit adolescents between the ages of 13 – 17 years old with SLDs (n=102). T-Tests, ANOVAs, correlational analyses and regression analyses were conducted using scores of the Short School Helplessness Questionnaire (SBS-S) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Findings indicated a correlation between LH and depressive symptoms. Although there were no significant age differences in scores on the variables, gender differences were found, with females reporting significantly more depressive symptoms and higher levels of LH. Additionally, a regression analysis indicated that LH was significantly associated with depressive symptoms, and there were no gender or age effects on this relationship. This finding has important implications for addressing depressive symptoms in this population. Future research is recommended to understand the impact of cumulative negative experiences on depressive symptoms among adolescents with SLDs.