Examining the depressive symptoms of 12-15 year-old turkish adolescents according to play variable

The aim of this research was to examine the depressive symptoms of Turkish adolescents according to play variable. The research sample consisted of 400 adolescents, 200 of whom play and 200 do not play after school. To determine the depressive symptoms of adolescents participated in the research, Beck Children Depression Inventory was used. In conclusion, the symptoms of depression in adolescents who didn't play after school were found to be high, whereas adolescences' feelings of depression that play after school in their free time were low. The depressive symptom was determined as high in adolescents whose play time was short. It is thought that the play being necessary in child's life is effective on the depressive symptoms. © IDOSI Publications, 2011.