In the elementary and middle school grades, Kendra seems to be a bright, well-adjusted girl. But in tenth grade, her grades plummet, and she has lengthy periods of exceptional sadness and lethargy. Following are four possible explanations of this change in Kendra's behavior. Which one is most consistent with research findings?
A) Chances are 50-50 that Kendra's parents are strict disciplinarians, possibly to the point of being abusive.
B) Serious depression is more common in adolescence than in the elementary school years, and it is sometimes the result of a chemical imbalance.
C) The negative effects of insecure attachments to primary caregivers in the early years often don't surface until adolescence or early adulthood.
D) It is highly likely that Kendra has been experimenting with drugs; more than 80% of seriously depressed adolescents are regular abusers of hallucinogens and other illegal substances.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the incidence of serious depression increases during adolescence, and it can be associated with chemical imbalances in the brain. This explanation aligns with Kendra's symptoms of sadness and lethargy.

In the Elementary and Middle School Grades, Kendra Seems to Be