This journal article reports the findings of a study that surveyed a sample of 268 alternative education (AE) students from the northern North Island of New Zealand to examine risk and protective factors for depression within the social environment. Alternative education schools serve students with behavioural problems, repeat expulsions, and/or pregnancy/child care responsibilities that preclude them from attending mainstream high schools. An ecological model of youth development provides the basis for the analysis. The aims of the study were to describe the social environments and prevalence of depression symptoms among AE students; to identify risk and protective factors associated with symptoms of depression; and to identify protective factors that moderate the risk of depression at high levels of adversity. The authors' found that 28 (35.4%) of the girls and 31 (21.1%) of the boys had cut-off scores that indicated a high likelihood of significant psychopathology from depression. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that family and peer connections were protective against depression. High levels of poverty, witnessing violence at home, and experiencing bullying at school were significant risk factors for depression.--ADAPTED FROM THE JOURNAL ABSTRACT

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 74(2) January 2004 : 137-149