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Social Origins of Depressive Cognitions: A Longitudinal Study of Self-Perceived Competence in Children

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Abstract

As part of a 4-year longitudinal investigation, over 631 elementary school children evaluated themselves in five developmentally important domains: academic competence, social acceptance, physical appearance, behavioral conduct, and sports competence. In cross-sectional and prospective analyses, self-appraisals were significantly predicted by teachers', parents', and peers' appraisals in the same domains. The strength of this relation and the stability of self-appraisals increased over time. Longitudinal analyses also revealed that self-perceived competence was negatively related to later levels of self-reported depressive symptoms.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556

    David A. Cole, Farrah M. Jacquez & Tracy L. Maschman

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  1. David A. Cole
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Cole, D.A., Jacquez, F.M. & Maschman, T.L. Social Origins of Depressive Cognitions: A Longitudinal Study of Self-Perceived Competence in Children. Cognitive Therapy and Research 25, 377–395 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005582419077

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