title: Responses to depression in children: reconceptualizing the relation among response styles.
abstract: We propose that researchers should utilize ratio scores when examining the response styles theory rather than examine each of the response styles separately. Higher ratio scores indicate a higher probability of engaging in ruminative, as opposed to distracting and problem solving, behaviors. In Phase One, we examined the factor structure and reliability of the Children's Response Styles Questionnaire (CRSQ) in a sample of 287 third through sixth grade schoolchildren. A two factor solution was obtained: (1) Rumination and (2) Distraction and Problem Solving. Both factors exhibited strong psychometric properties. In Phase Two, 140 children completed the CRSQ and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Six weeks later, children completed the CDI. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the two-factor solution fit the data well. In line with hypotheses, CRSQ ratio scores were more strongly associated with CDI residual change scores than were either CRSQ rumination or distraction and problem solving scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, McGill University, Stewart Biological Sciences Building, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. abela@ego.psych.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: John R Z
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Abela
authors.forename: Cristina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Randy P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Auerbach
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011340:Problem Solving; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires