Social origins of depressive cognitions: A longitudinal study of self-perceived competence in children

As part of a g-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.