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.
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.
Hoffman
K B
KB
Psychology Department, University of Notre Dame, 119 Hagger Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5636, USA.
Cole
D A
DA
Martin
J M
JM
Tram
J
J
Seroczynski
A D
AD
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept