DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY, PERCEPTIONS OF ATTRACTIVENESS, AND BODY-IMAGE IN CHILDREN

Fifty-seven children, aged 9-12 completed the Children's Depression In ventory, rated their bodies on dimensions of attractiveness, effective ness and vulnerability, and rated themselves and three other children on global attractiveness. Dysphoria was significantly correlated with both measures of dissatisfaction of own attractiveness. No significant correlations occurred between CDI scores and effectiveness or vulnera bility. Stepwise regression showed dysphoria to be predicted by dissat isfaction with the body's attractiveness and by age with the former be ing the most powerful. No subject differences were found on rating the attractiveness of other children. Results are compared to research wi th adult subjects.