Are the discrepancies between self- and others' appraisals of competence predictive or reflective of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A longitudinal study, part II.

Abstract

Two cohorts of children and adolescents (who started 6th grade in 1993 and 1996), parents, teachers, and peers participated in a 4-wave, 2-year, longitudinal study of perceived competence and depressive symptoms. The authors assessed children's tendencies to underestimate their competence (discrepant self-appraisals) relative to the appraisals of significant others. We also assessed the degree to which self-appraisals reflected the evaluations of others (reflective self-appraisals). Domains of competence were academic competence, physical appearance, behavioral conduct, social acceptance, and athletic competence. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that depressive symptoms correlated with reflective and discrepant self-appraisals. Longitudinal analyses revealed that reflective and discrepant self-appraisals predicted subsequent depressive symptoms and that depressive symptoms predicted discrepant but not reflective self-appraisals. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Empirical evidence of cognitive vulnerability for depression among children and adolescents: A cognitive science and developmental perspective

“…Underestimated competency predicts increases in depression within few grade levels; however, the reverse relation is found in all grades (Cole, 1998). Partial support for reciprocal models is also found by Hoffman et al (2000). These studies support the reciprocal, or transactional, relations between self-perception and depression.…”

“…Evidence supporting negative self-perception as a proximal vulnerability to depressive symptoms is found in eight (Cole, Jacquez, & Maschman, 2001;Cole, Martin, & Powers, 1997;Cole, Martin, Powers, & Truglio, 1996;Kistner, Balthazor, Risi, & Burton, 1999;Measelle et al, 1998;Ohannessian, Lerner, Lerner, & von Eye, 1999; of the fourteen studies. Mixed evidence is found in three studies (Cole, Martin, Peeke, Seroczynski, & Fier, 1999;Hoffman, Cole, Martin, Tram, & Seroczynski, 2000;Kistner, DavidFerdon, Repper, & Joiner, 2006), with an additional three studies (Cole, Martin, Peeke, Seroczynski, & Hoffman, 1998;Lewinsohn et al, 1994;McGrath & Repetti, 2002) presenting evidence that depression predicts self-perception. Thus, the empirical base for self-perception as a cognitive vulnerability in youth is decidedly mixed.…”

Depressie bij kinderen en adolescenten

“…Sociale competentiemodellen (Cole, 1991;Cole, Jacquez, & Maschman, 2001;Hoffman, Cole, Martin, Tram, & Seroczynski, 2000) stellen dat kinderen actief op zoek gaan naar feedback van anderen over hun sociale competentie. Wanneer ze te´veel negatieve feedback krijgen, zullen ze negatieve zelfschema's ontwikkelen (bv.…”

A longitudinal study of children's depressive symptoms, self-perceptions, and cognitive distortions about the self.

“…Second, the present study used multiple reporters of children's symptoms of depression to gain a more comprehensive picture of children's emotional functioning. Depressive symptoms are measured by (a) children's self-reports and (b) the average of mothers' and teachers' reports of depressive symptomatology (Hoffman et al, 2000, also obtained parents' reports). Third, this study extends the current literature by controlling for children's externalizing symptoms in tests of all the hypotheses to assess the unique association between depression and self-evaluations.…”